Mogaji Remi Ade-Eyitayo Rodney

3 KEY OBSERVATIONS 1. AMAECHI LABELS BUHARI A LIAR In this interview, Rotimi Amaechi is effectively accusing the late President Muhammadu Buhari of being a liar, a man whose words, promises and assurances could neither be trusted nor relied upon. According to him, Buhari had assured him not merely of his support but of an outright anointment as the preferred presidential candidate, assuring him he needed not expend much energy campaigning. Only for Buhari to renege on his alleged promises and remain neutral at the convention, leaving him stranded, exposed and politically naked. 2. AMAECHI ADMITS HE LACKED THE CAPACITY TO NEGOTIATE But we know Buhari neither promised Amaechi that he would be his anointed candidate nor prevented him from campaigning. We were all here when Amaechi traversed the country, moving from one State House to another, soliciting support and canvassing for delegates. We recall, for instance, his visit to Kaduna, where the then Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, reportedly assured him of the bulk of Kaduna delegates' votes. Amaechi inadvertently admits to a fundamental weakness: his inability to effectively persuade, negotiate with and rally governors around his candidacy. Yet, rather than honestly confront his own shortcomings, he would rather outsource the responsibility for his failure to another man, particularly one who is no longer alive to respond to the allegations. The dead cannot defend themselves against the living. The weakest of men often find the greatest courage in accusing those who can no longer answer back. 3. TINUBU USED RELIGION TO WIN THE PRIMARIES? Another historical distortion! Kashim Shettima was not announced as Tinubu's running mate until July 10, 2022, more than a month after the APC presidential primaries of June 7–8, 2022. How, therefore, did the Muslim-Muslim ticket contribute to Asiwaju's victory at the APC convention when the ticket itself had not even been announced? Oga, you lost! And you lost to a superior political strategist, a formidable leader who had spent years building an extensive network of relationships, loyalty and political capital. He had men and women willing to march into battle for him, by day or by night, come rain or shine. That is the product of years of strategic investments in human relationships, political organisation and grassroots mobilisation, qualities that cannot be manufactured overnight or substituted with presidential assurances. My counsel to Rotimi is rather simple: perhaps he should consider another 100-metre dash. At the very least, he might stand a chance of attracting a portion of Seyi Makinde's few supporters, whose principal political attraction appears to be muscular displays, high jumps and athletic performances. After all, when the political track becomes too competitive, perhaps the athletics track offers a more accommodating alternative. Good Morning Severally...