By Theophilus Keme
We can all agree that the seat of the Vice President in Nigeria has never been known to be a seat to receive the same authority and prominence like its head, as it is like the conventional Africa traditional family type, where the wife is nothing but a help mate to her husband. And for whatsoever reason, the wife is always conditioned and restricted in authority so as to remain in the background. She is not expected to make her voice too loud in the gathering of where her husband and his fellow kinsmen are. This is irrespective of whether she hones the required wisdom and expertise in the matter of discussion.
This allusion is totally relative to the immediate past Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari relationship and all of Nigerians.
At Buhari and Osibanjo’s first assumption of office in 2015 and gradually between their first term in office was a time when Nigerians had a lot of high hopes and excitement in the air, (even though there were still number of doubts) as it seemed like there couldn’t have been a better duo to occupy the seat of Presidency and Vice-Presidency. The Nigeria community was very optimistic about the duo especially as their different opposing but complimenting characters and personality were depicted in their campaign manifesto to gain the trust of Nigerians that it was truly a change and a new era as promised.
As it is known, Yemi Osinbajo is everything President Buhari isn’t. Buhari, with his military background, is known for his toughness while Osinbajo is a cerebral technocrat, thoroughbred professional, a teacher who is an accomplished Professor of Law for that matter, and a preacher of values and morals as a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to boot. It really felt promising of what the duo would bring unto the Nigeria community, like some perfect political-couple, but little did we know that these prejudged perfect relationship/political marriage between the two wouldn’t be free from the conventional African traditional external family woes, the political in-laws (cabal) of Buhari purportedly truncating whatever good effort that is proposed by Osinabjo and the vice-president’s clandestine activities that at a point was rumored to want to totally be in control over Buhari in order to make Nigeria a better place.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s book, ‘Osinbajo’s Strides’ that was benevolently written in honor of him by 25 co-authors of different spheres of life is an interesting book. However, I will say the authors didn’t quite complete in the job of capturing the total essence of the personality of the vice-president. That is why I have volunteered to be the 26th author, adding my own chapter as I have observed that my learned associates disproportionately had not emphasized enough of the agony and the various ill winds that befell Osinbajo in his eight-year stint as Nigeria’s vice president. Though the authors did quite well in their respective chapters but it is inexcusable that they had only compile notes of the pristine character that we all already know to be possessed by the man Osinbajo. I must admit it is really demeaning from 25 co-authors as they had been most careful with words about the journey of Osinbajo in a book. Perhaps too careful so that the actual truth would not offend the subject matter, which may propel him to erase their thoughts from the pages. However, history may be kinder to them if they had buttressed their points without fear and whatsoever.
Interestingly, the most common lexicon that is used to address Professor Yemi Osinabjo is ‘Mr Nice Guy’, a title I must say has kind of depicts him as a weakling, as he isn’t feared at all by his compatriots even as he is supposed to be the number two citizen of Nigeria. This made me understand what Niccolò Machiavelli meant by ‘A king is better to be feared than to be loved’; as a ruler must not only care about reputation, but also must be willing to act unscrupulously at the right times. This is an aspect of leadership that Osinbajo failed a countless number of times.
In many cases, his fellow politicians make jest of his simple nature. For instance, the former governor of Borno State, Kassim Shettima, now Vice President, in an interview on Channel’s TV before the presidential primaries had said regarding Osinbajo as a good man: “He’s a nice man. But nice men do not make good leaders, because nice men tend to be nasty. Nice men should be selling popcorn, ice cream.”
Even at a time, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s media aide, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, famously known as Dawisu, described Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as ‘Vice President, Academics.’ In a lay man’s understanding, it means Osinbajo reads too much books but comes short in terms of actions and achievements.
Nonetheless, I do quite applaud the Vice President for his famed tolerance – keeping calm in the face of the demeaning titles and other hurling brickbats that were thrown at him. Despite being pushed to the wall a number of times to prove that he can actually revolt if wanted to, he never did. He was kind of a deputy who knew his place but maybe too calm for the position he occupied in my opinion, even though he handled all with his unusual equanimity and charm.
Frankly saying, no offense intended, Osinbajo is the latest victim in the vicious cycle of power games in our dear country. For I actually think he is being stripped of the last vestiges of political relevance and importance, even though he might have achieved a lot outstanding and amazing success in the few sphere that he has touched. In spite of the fact that he is a teacher of international repute, a foremost legal mind, a pastor of great intellect, compassion and suasion, he is still typified by how the appurtenances of his relatively powerful office have been whittled down and almost totally degraded before his very eyes and existence.
The last presidential primaries of his party, the APC, really did him dirty before the public eye. Or perhaps he did himself dirty by pitching his tent where he wasn’t supposed to and saying all manner of things that are beneath his status as an academic scholar and priest, someone Nigerians had reverence for, who was clever enough to know the import of what he was saying and selling as manifesto in his quest for ultimate presidential power.
In his declaration speech for president, Osinbajo said he was committed to continuing President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for the country. This is ridiculous and I would not want to dwell further on it.
Osinbajo as acting President for about four months he did quite well. During those times in 2017, it was reported that he visited the Niger-Delta and was able to put a stop to the militancy that was once again threatening to engulf that region of our country. In doing so, he improved our economic fortunes by ensuring an increase in production of our main income earner, crude oil. In addition, he brought greater positive image to the Buhari government. Many silently prayed Buhari would give him more responsibilities, and a freer hand to handle the complexities of Nigeria. Again, we were wrong but what still happened to him trying to make a mark for himself aside the Mr. Nice Guy?
I guess he is never destined to be what we needed him to be – that’s to speak up for himself, take charge. When the chance came, he was never given much consideration by his party and Nigerians at large. This notwithstanding, acknowledging and putting aside his leadership qualities and remarkable personal attributes, Professor Yemi Osinbajo will be most remembered as someone who came on board and best acted out the role of the Vice-President in the history of Nigeria.
