National leader of the All Progressives Congress,APC and a former governor of Lagos State,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has likened the Peoples Democratic Party to the elephantiasis disease, which is in need of the ‘APC’ medicine for a permanent cure.

But he quickly added that the APC, whose medical namesake was a popular analgesic, could only work if taken without alcohol, a possible jibe at the PDP presidential candidate reputed to be a fan of Bacchus.

Obasanjo, Tinubu, Oyegun

Tinubu spoke in Abeokuta today at the 78th birthday of Nigeria’s former leader, Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta.

He gave a goodwill message, which he used effectively to eulogise the former leader, now a supporter of Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Tinubu and Obasanjo were elected at the same time, with Tinubu elected twice as governor of Lagos State. But all through his eight years in office, he had a running battle with Obasanjo, with the latter even seizing the Federal allocation to the local councils in the state. The seizure helped Lagos to look inwards and mine revenue hitherto overlooked. Reflecting over the period, Tinubu said what the fighting achieved was that Obasanjo kept him on his toes all through.

Tinubu,who also described Obasanjo as a true nationalist and a tutor of dignity and boldness,recalled several altercations he had with the former President when he was then the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Tinubu disclosed that he got to know that all what transpired between him and Obasanjo was done out of passion for perfection by the former President and not emotional.

According to him, “I am honoured to be here to celebrate with our papa. It is just a rare opportunity to pay a tribute to a nationalist,a teacher,a disciplinarian,a tutor in dignity and boldness.

Governor Amosun bows to Chief Obasanjo. With them is the Speaker of Ogun House of Assembly

“It is true that there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in politics,what is permanent is interest.

“Once upon a time,some nine years ago,I went to the villa,the President asked me to walk out and I abused him on the pages of newspapers. I told him that he is a tenant here, because this house belongs to every Nigerians. If I have come to Ota,you can send me away.

Mrs. Obasanjo, Mrs. Amosun and Chief Obasanjo

“How best could we celebrate truly and honour truly a man who has kept me on my toes. Whatever you see to have happened between me and Baba Obasanjo,I want to say that it was a gratitude to me because,he kept me on my toes.

“I took him to court as a President and one day we met at the court gate and he said,you Bola,you took me to court and I said No Baba,I don’t take you to court but I took Nigeria President to court and he said get away. I told him right there that I will not get away until I get what I want.

Speaker Ogun House of Assembly, Prince Suraju Adekunbi, APC Governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Umana Okon Umana and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola

“All his actions and inactions during that time,I now found them not to be emotional but a passion for perfection. Obasanjo is an open book,when you read a chapter,you open another chapter and if you drink from that cup of wisdom,it is a great thing,”Tinubu said.

Commenting on the shredding of the PDP membership card by the former President, Tinubu said Obasanjo action was done basically for the love for his fatherland.

“PDP is an elephantiasis and only APC can cure it,it will be cured. If you drink APC without alcoholic beverages,it will cure it. The day I saw Baba instructing that shredded umbrella card to be torn,I asked why,but later I got to see that it was about patriotism and love for the country.

“What could Obasanjo have wanted from Jonathan or the PDP that he has not gotten,but he put all that aside and believe in the unity and cohesion of this country. In order to free himself from that bondage of partisanship,he decided to remain a statesman by his action,” the former Lagos State governor stated.