APC Primary: One Political Strategy That Has Worked For Bola Tinubu From 1999 To Date

The recent election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the standard bearer of the All Progressive Congress in the forthcoming general election has confirmed the political strength, reach and astuteness of the former Lagos governor.

Tinubu defeated other 14 aspirants with 1,271 votes to emerge the candidate of the party.

However, Tinubu’s victory did not come on a platter of gold. It is a sterling testament of his years of consistency, relevance and dedication to a course he so much believes in.

Since 1999 that he came to political prominence as governor of Lagos, Tinubu has maintained his incredible control of Yoruba politics. 

He is the only governor among the 1999 set whose tentacle spread across the nooks and crannies of the country despite not being in presidency or National assembly since he finished his tenure.

One major thing that has been working for him is his ability to remain committed to a course. From day one, Tinubu has been eyeing the presidency. 

While in Alliance for Democracy as governor, he constituted a political group known as mandate group. He singlehandedly founded and nurtured the group.

After his tenure, he built the group into a formidable political structure from where eminent people emerged either as minister, governor lawmakers or commissioners.

From Action Congress to Action Congress of Nigeria and APC, Tinubu never joked with the mandate group. 

When it was time to pursue his presidential ambition, the mandate group swung into action and ensured the gospel of his ambition is preached across the country.

This gave him an edge over other aspirants in the APC. From North to South, the imprimatur of Tinubu is everywhere.

This explained why the presidential primary election was a walkover for him. He got more than half of the entire votes shared by the 14 aspirants.

The convincing victory was not only about the money he spent, it was largely due to the structures he has built over the years across the country.