• What pundits think of the latest move by President Buhari
The storm is over between President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Bola Tinubu. Ill wind has deserted the midst of the two prominent leaders of Nigeria’s ruling party, like evil mist at the searing blaze of celestial light. Rabble rousers may hold their peace now; Buhari will woo Tinubu.
Finally, Mr. President has decided to curry the favour of the two-time governor of Lagos State and national leader of APC by appointing his best friend, Pius Akinyelure, as a member of the newly constituted board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Prior to Tinubi’s man, Pius’ appointment on to the board, mischief makers alleged that Tinubu felt betrayed and unhappy with President Buhari who allegedly ignored most of his suggestions and nominations into key public offices in the country. President Buhari allegedly listened to the advice of aides and advisers who needed him to be at loggerheads with Tinubu due to their fear of the APC leader’s rising and very intimidating profile.
However, Buhari is reportedly doing a cartwheel and reconsidering mending fences with Tinubu because he believes he would still need the APC boss by the time he vies for a second term in office. Thus his recent appointment of Tinubu’s friend, Pius on to the NNPC board. Pius is the only Yoruba man on the newly constituted board; it would be recalled that Pius supported and donated generously to Buhari’s campaign and as a result, he was promised a very juicy portfolio when Buhari becomes President.
When it didn’t happen on time, he lost hope in Buhari’s government and ditched all hopes of enjoying compensation for his contributions to the success of the incumbent president’s electoral campaign. However, when news of his appointment got to him, he was visibly pleased as he had given up hope on President Buhari. Not with his shabby treatment and betrayal of his friend and political associate, Tinubu.
