Editor’s note: The writer Buchi Obichie points out the fact that Yemi Osinbajo was fiercely loyal to Muhammadu Buhari while he acted as Acting President in the absence of the President. She states that though the nation is jubilant that the President has return, the Vice President will always be remembered as the ‘true hero’ of the story.
Lord John Acton once said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. This statement is as true today, as it was in the days Acton lived.
One of the greatest tragedies of politics- more so African politics- is that leaders get so intoxicated with power, that they begin to view themselves as lords and masters, not as servants of the people, which is what they should be.
It is a great gift that a man should find a loyal companion through life; but greater still for those in public office, is to find a deputy who is not only loyal, but content in his position, un-swayed by the trappings of office, and completely dedicated to the ideals of his Captain.
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One of the greatest blessings of the Buhari presidency- if not the greatest- is that the President was able to find such a man in his loyal Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
By the grace of God, Muhammadu Buhari returned back to the country on Saturday August 19, after 103 days in the United Kingdom tending to an undisclosed illness.
Rightfully, there was celebration around the country. Despite the grievances and opposition, the mood of the country on Buhari’s arrival showed that to a large extent, the President is still highly regarded amongst many Nigerians.
But while we celebrated, a very important piece of the equation was left out; and that part of the equation, was Yemi Osinbajo’s service and undisputed loyalty in the absence of his boss.
It is easy to disregard the implications for the country if a man with a different disposition held sway in Buhari’s absence. Many nations have been torn apart by the ambitions of power-hungry politicians – South Sudan for example- but by the mercy of God, Nigeria found itself in the hands of a genuinely good man, at such a volatile and delicate moment in its history.
We won’t understand the gravity of the situation until we ponder upon the fact that Osinbajo was entrusted with power and control, and did not falter.
It is easy to say that ‘Buhari’s minders’ still had their fingers on the trigger; but history shows that men have changed the course of nation’s with much less resources than Osinbajo had access to.
And the nature of politics is such that there are no permanent friends or foes. With the right circumstances, many men can become villains. And ‘intelligent’ villains only need to identify the right power-brokers and forge alliances to change the status-quo.
To borrow the metaphors used by Aisha Buhari and Shehu Sani, surely there were ‘Jackals and Hyenas’ prowling around the jungle’s castle in the absence of the ‘Lion’. And these nefarious creatures surely must have whispered dark words in the ears of the VP. But like the ‘Jonathan’ to Buhari’s ‘David’, Osinbajo refused to breathe-in the foul vapors of treachery; and Nigeria is the better for his service.
It says something about the character of the man, that at such a defining moment, he stood firm and strong.
During the 103 days Buhari was away, a presidential source speaking on the condition of anonymity reportedly stated: “Unlike previous governments where the Vice Presidents were seemingly over-ambitious and could not be trusted about power and control, Osinbajo has remained calm and focused on what is good for Nigeria, in due consultation with his boss.”
He stated further: “I can tell you authoritatively that the man (Osinbajo) is not ambitious. He is a technocrat in government. This is because if he is ambitious and a typical Nigerian politician, the country would have been in turmoil by now.”
I agree.
Can you imagine what would have happened if in the midst of the various ethnic agitations and sectarian divisions that rocked the nation in the President’s absence, there was also uncertainty and tension in the seat of power? Things would have fallen apart! But Osinbajo held firm and carried on. And he carried on without ulterior motives.
I read somewhere, that a former President once said of his own deputy: “If you turn your eyes or close your eyes in his presence, some documents in sensitive files would go missing”.
Well, Buhari was nowhere in the vicinity; so just imagine what would have happened if Osinbajo was a different kind of man.
Everywhere the Acting President went in the absence of his boss, he was received with such an outpouring of love and support. North or south, it was the same. Old and young, they all trooped out to see the man. He could have easily gotten drunk with all the sweet drink of love, but he kept his head straight.
I have to say, Buhari must have done something right to be blessed by God with such a man like Yemi Osinbajo to lead such a great country like Nigeria.
And I think the President knows this. He would be a very foolish man not to.
It is a huge blessing (and frankly, a testament to the funny ways of God), that a man who overthrew another in his first stint at the helm of the nation, could end up in his second stint, with a man who would jealously guard his leadership at such a delicate moment.
At every turn in the President’s absence, the VP left no doubt about where his loyalty lay. But make no mistakes; Osinbajo is not just loyal to his chief, but to his country.
Maybe it’s because he is a Pastor, maybe it’s because he is married to a woman who has the blood of a true national hero (Obafemi Awolowo) flowing in her veins, or maybe it’s simply because he is a genuinely good man.
Whatever the reason though, Nigeria is blessed to have such a man who is a far cry from the power-thirsty politicians that the country is accustomed to.
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The other half of Lord Acton’s quote reads: “Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority; still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority”.
Osinbajo had authority, influence and power. And if he didn’t, in the absence of his boss, he would have certainly found a way to get it. Yet, he was not found wanting!
If like Lord Acton said, “Great men are almost always bad men”, then I think we have found one exception to the rule. At such a pivotal moment in its history, Nigeria had at his helm, a 'great good man'.
When the history books are written, Yemi Osinbajo will always (and rightfully) be regarded as the hero of this unique story; and on behalf of all Nigerians, i say a very big 'thank you' to the Vice President, for showing us that politics can be about selfless service, not individual egos.
This opinion piece was written by Buchi Obichie.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of NAIJ.com.
Watch this NAIJ.com TV video of drivers in Abuja celebrating Buhari's return