Tinubu Says Buhari Now Slow But Steady In Approach To Governance

SAN FRANCISCO, October 03, (THEWILL) – Former Lagos governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has drawn a parallel between President Muhammadu Buhari's time as a young military head of state and now that he is the president of the country.

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, pointed out that while Buhari was in a hurry as a military ruler in the 80's, the president has become “slow but steady” in his approach to governance “now that he is older and given his experience”.

Tinubu stated this on Monday during the launch of a book — 'Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria', written by John Paden, a professor of international studies — at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Meanwhile at the event, which held at the International Conference Center, ICC, Abuja, dignitaries, including Oyegun and Tinubu, were invited to the podium for the presentation of the book.

With Oyegun on the far left, at least five persons separated him from Tinubu.

At the end of the presentation, the chairman walked past Tinubu before exchanging handshakes with other guests, including Yakubu Gowon, former head of state.

Recall that Oyegun had been asked been asked by Tinubu to resign from his position, saying he working with anti-democratic forces within the party to scuttle the will of party members in Ondo State.

While pointing out that Paden succinctly explained the transition from the Buhari in uniform to one in civilian garb, Tinubu said; “he notes that in terms of style of leadership, Buhari as a young military head of state was in a hurry.

“However, now that he is older and given his experience, he is 'slow but steady' in his approach to governance.”

He went on to state that, “During the campaign, he (Buhari) surprised many by his agility and the broad canvas on which he operated.

“In tracing the evolution of Buhari, the national leader, the author's assertion that military rule is based on the power its holders can wield, while civilian rule is based on the legitimacy derived from elections, is a point with which I dare not debate.

“Buhari's career embodies this, hence his transition from being a military ruler to being a civilian leader, who subjected himself to the rigors and uncertainty of elections four times. Thrice he patiently went to court, seeking redress from electoral manipulation.

“The author, quite accurately, remarked on the Buhari victory equation, as flowing from Northern grassroots support and coalition-building with the South West as well as with other tendencies.”