Why Jagaban broke his silence

On Monday, December 5, 2016, APC leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, broke his silence.

It has been long in coming.

Tinubu has been accused of anti-party activities, he's been accused of being out-smarted by the cabal within the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency, he's been accused of being pushed to the fringes in the current power game in the Villa, he's been accused of wanting to leave the APC--a political party he helped forge into national prominence.

But through it all, the man in the eye of the storm, offered nothing by way of a rebuttal.

Nada. Zilch.

But as everyone prepared for the day's business, Monday, the Jagaban of Borgu (as Tinubu is fondly called) let it all off his chest.

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"In our Journey to national betterment, plans and policies will be made, then amended. Mistakes will occur and then corrected...achievements will be had and replicated. Through it all, I, Asiwaju will remain true to the progressive ideals that fuelled the creation of APC.

"I have devoted my political life to achieve what has been achieved. My heart is too much of the people and my mind too fixed on establishing a positive historic legacy... rather than engage in destructive pettiness.

"This government, APC, is for the betterment of the people and the national purpose is bigger and more important than any individual's desires.

"This is a party I labored with others to build. We would not abandon it for another. Millions of Nigerians who voted are watching and praying".

What changed?

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On Sunday, national newspaper, Punch ran a story with the caption: Mega party: Atiku, Tinubu, Makarfi’s PDP target March 2017 date.

According to the story, Tinubu has been teaming up with Atiku to put together another political party, seeing as he's been frustrated out of the scheme of things at the center by the Buhari cabal.

"That was the last straw for us and for Jagaban", said a media aide of Tinubu's who pleaded that his name be left out of this story because he had not been authorised to comment on the subject.

"The speculation has gone on in several online sites for a while now, but when it made it to the front page of a national daily, Tinubu was left with no option but to react and strongly so", added the aide.

The Presidency was also mentioned copiously in the Punch story.

Rumours of a rift between President Buhari and Tinubu took on a life of its own after the Ondo governorship election.

Tinubu didn't support eventual winner of the Ondo election, Rotimi Akeredolu. However, Buhari flew to the South West State to campaign for Akeredolu.

It was the clearest indication yet, that both leaders were working at cross purposes within the governing party.

After the contest, Buhari had to issue a statement to deny stories that he's been on a war path with the former Governor of Lagos State.

A statement from the Presidency read: "President Buhari commended Tinubu’s spirit of comradeship in promptly congratulating Rotimi Akeredolu who was elected Governor.

"The President also noted that at a time his administration is preoccupied with governance issues, rumours of divisions and alleged scheming within the party are counterproductive to internal unity and cohesion in APC."

Tinubu's aide spoken to for this story, said: "Hopefully, we can move on from here. Jagaban is not leaving the APC".