TINUBU: A DEMOCRAT WHO BUILDS BRIDGES ACROSS POLITICAL DIVIDES
TINUBU: A DEMOCRAT WHO BUILDS BRIDGES ACROSS POLITICAL DIVIDES
It is indeed remarkable when people who have spent decades in the political wilderness suddenly attempt to lecture a man who has demonstrated, through decades of political engagement, what democracy, political accommodation and sacrifice truly mean.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not merely a politician who understands democracy from textbooks; he is a practitioner who has lived through its battles, setbacks, alliances and sacrifices.
One of the most remarkable features of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu's political leadership is his ability to recognise talent and progressive minds beyond party lines. His philosophy appears to be simple: wherever good ideas, competence and commitment to the development of Nigeria exist, they should not be discarded simply because they come from the opposition.
This explains why President Tinubu has continued to extend the hand of political inclusion to people who once stood on the opposite side of the political divide. His approach demonstrates that after elections, governance must rise above partisan bitterness. Nigeria is bigger than APC, PDP, LP or any other political platform.
From Lagos to the national stage, Tinubu has consistently demonstrated an uncommon capacity to build bridges, accommodate divergent political interests and bring capable people together for a common purpose. His political journey has also shown that yesterday's opponent can become today's partner when the interest of the people takes precedence over political differences.
That is the real meaning of progressive politics.
His relationship with political figures across different platforms—whether in APC, PDP, Labour Party, APGA or other political tendencies—demonstrates a willingness to engage rather than isolate, accommodate rather than destroy, and unite rather than divide.
President Tinubu's emerging politics of inclusion is therefore worthy of commendation. At a time when many politicians see opposition as an enemy that must be permanently destroyed, he appears to be saying that Nigeria needs every good hand on deck.
This is particularly important because governance is not a football match where one side must lose for another to win. The ultimate victory should be the victory of Nigeria.
Those who genuinely share progressive ideas, regardless of the political platform from which they came, should be given room to contribute. A former opposition member who has competence, vision and patriotism should not be condemned to political irrelevance simply because he once belonged to another party.
That, to me, is one of the defining qualities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's political leadership.
His greatest strength may not simply be his ability to win elections, but his ability to build political coalitions, reconcile differences and turn former political adversaries into stakeholders in a larger national project.
Asiwaju's political history is a testimony to perseverance, strategic thinking and sacrifice. He has supported people at different times, even when doing so did not immediately translate into personal political advantage. Today, as President, the opportunity before him is even greater: to bring together the best of Nigeria's political, professional and intellectual resources for national development.
We may disagree with President Tinubu on policies, and in a democracy, citizens have every right to criticise government. But we should also acknowledge and encourage every genuine effort to promote political inclusion, national reconciliation and the participation of competent Nigerians irrespective of their former political affiliations.
A true democrat does not ask only, "Who is with me?" He asks, "Who can contribute to the progress of our nation?"
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's willingness to bring progressive-minded Nigerians from across the political divide into relevance is therefore a step in the direction of a more inclusive Nigeria.
The opposition of yesterday can become the partner of today. The political rival can become the nation builder of tomorrow.
That is not weakness.
That is political maturity. That is statesmanship. That is democracy.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spent decades building bridges. May his administration continue to unite Nigerians, harness the best talents across party lines and place national interest above political differences.
One Nigeria. One common destiny. One progressive future.
Alabojuto writes from.Akure
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