Tinubu, Others Extol Jakande's Virtues
By Ndubuisi Ugah and Bisi Lawal
As Nigerians from all walks of life gathered in Lagos yesterday, to celebrate the 75th birthday anniversary of Second Republic Governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu identified the resilient and dogged instincts exhibited by Jakande during the first Republic, as reasons why the party was able to surmount the "intense bombardment from the forces of conservatism", which nearly polarised the party better known for its federalist inclinations.
Also making an inference from what AG stood for during the First Republic, Tinubu said "there can be no meaningful development in Nigeria without a return to true federalism in every sense of the concept".
His Imo State counterpart, Chief Achike Udenwa, said "Jakande's reign as governor of Lagos State exhibited marked differences between a quintessential civilian administration and military administration of some sort, which characterised earlier government in Nigeria, particularly after the civil war".
The occasion was also used for a book launch and public presentation of "Legacies of Leadership" on Jakande. The governors said Jakande was a leader, whose impressionable leadership style remained unparalleled in the country.
Represented by his deputy, Mr Femi Pedro, Tinubu said "and in these days when everyone in the South-west claim to be an Awoist, it must be said loud and clear that no one who does not believe in genuine federalism can qualify to be an Awoist. There is certainly no way the history of progressive politics in Nigeria could be written without acknowledging the immense contributions of LKJ".
He pointed out that Jakande "was one of the major actors in the defunct Action Group (AG), which still ranks easily as one of the most efficient and best organised political parties ever in the history of Nigeria".
According to him, "Jakande was one of the most effective publicists of the ideas of welfarism, federalism, and constitutionalism, which the party symbolised".
While acknowledging the immense contributions of Jakande towards the upliftment of the AG, Tinubu said "he was part and parcel of the path-breaking achievements of Awo's Action Group in the Wetsern region during the First Republic", adding that "when the Action Group ran into stormy waters, under intense bombardment from the forces of conservatism, Alhaji Jakande demonstrated uncommon strength of character, he stood steadfastly by his leader through thick and thin".
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