- Says party re-alignments, defections are signs of political maturity
- Insists President Tinubu prepared for leadership
BY EDMOND ODOK – Former House of Representatives member, Hon Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade says there must be patience, purpose, and political sincerity in leadership if Nigeria must make appreciable strides towards socio-economic development and sustainable growth.
Akinlade, who was the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, also touched on Nigeria’s current political climate, saying; “Nation-building is not a sprint. It’s a relay that requires time, vision, and responsible transition of leadership.”
This is as he acknowledged the economic strain faced by ordinary Nigerians but cautioned against embracing quick fixes or political extremism going forward.
Specifically addressing issues around national leadership, party defections, and the evolving dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, Akinlade said the nation’s transformation demands deep institutional reforms and a collective shift from rhetoric to results.
According to the seasoned public servant and grassroots politician, whose message remains deep-rooted in promoting visionary and sacrificial leadership in the country, “progress requires patience, unity demands purpose, and the future belongs to those bold enough to build, not just campaign.”
Akinlade further offered a calm but firm perspective on the widespread defections rocking Nigeria’s political parties, saying; “Defections are not betrayals. They are signals” of progress
He stated that party-switching is a necessary response to internal dysfunction and ideological disconnection, adding; “There is no constitutional crime in switching political allegiance.
“What matters is the reason. When a platform no longer reflects your mission or your people’s interests, you move”.
Akinlade, who recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State following intractable internal crisis, maintained that strategic realignment is often a sign of political maturity, not opportunism.
On President Tinubu, he said; “This Man Prepared for the Presidency. No President before Bola Tinubu was truly prepared for the job. From Obasanjo to Buhari, the mantle of leadership was either handed over or acquired through providence.”
Drawing comparisons between Tinubu and his predecessors, Akinlade elaborated thus; “Obasanjo was “chosen” by the military elite from prison in a bid to appease the South after the June 12 crisis.
“Yar’Adua, though capable, was reluctant and was selected by Obasanjo himself. Goodluck Jonathan was catapulted into power by fate, not design and Buhari came to power through broad northern bargaining but failed to fulfill his end of the agreement.”
Further maintaining that Tinubu is different, Akinlade said; “Tinubu planned for the presidency. He studied it, built it, supported others, installed one, and waited patiently for his time. When the opportunity came, he rose gallantly against all odds.”
According to Akinlade, “it is therefore no surprise that Tinubu appears calm, focused, and unshaken in the face of public pressure and opposition criticism.
“I’m shocked that people are shocked by his decisiveness. He knew what he wanted, and he’s executing it without flinching.”
As a student of geo-political economy, Akinlade revealed he is currently studying Tinubu’s leadership philosophy, believing that someday, it will become an academic case study.
“Mark my words, Tinubu’s political strategy will be studied at Harvard and Ivy League institutions globally”, he said
Also, for him, “2027 will not be business as usual” even as he described the forthcoming presidential race as one that will test Nigeria’s political intelligence and ideological stamina.
Looking ahead to the next general election, Akinlade said there will be a shift in public expectations and political benchmarks, predicting that 2027 will usher in a new era of issue-based politics and rigorous voter scrutiny.
“This time around, it will be policy over personality now. Nigerians won’t just vote for who they like, they’ll vote for who has a plan. We’re now in an era where performance matters more than personality”, he said
The former legislator characterized the coming polls as a contest between incumbent power and a rising opposition movement, but warned that personality politics must give way to performance-based campaigns.
“Nigerians are wiser now. The next election will be about ideas, not identities. Those who want power must bring clear, workable policies, not just promises”, Akinlade said.
Further noting that shifting alliances and increased civic awareness will make the political space wide open, he said only those with substance and strategy will be able to navigate it successfully.
The former PDP Chieftain while canvassing unity and clarity of purpose among the Leaders as well as citizens, said growing public anxiety and tension over the nation’s political system and direction notwithstanding, political actors must put national interest above personal ambition in seeking to serve their fatherland.
Akinlade also challenged young Nigerians to engage the political process not just through criticism, but through informed participation and contributions to nation-building.
The man, considered as an influential voice in Ogun State politics, continues to advocate reforms, inclusion, and institutional credibility, stressing that; “We may be divided by party lines, but the mission is the same: to rescue Nigeria and rebuild it. The country must win, more than any politician or party.”
