On April 13, 1997, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now Nigeria’s President, reportedly made a controversial statement asserting that he “does not believe in One Nigeria.”
This was published in This Day Newspaper, stemming from an interview with Ayo Arowolo, now Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Arise Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena.
However, as of the time of this publication, Osun Defender could not independently verify the authenticity of the 1997 report.
Before Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Tinubu had already established his political career, starting in 1992 when he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was part of the influential Peoples Front faction led by Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, alongside political figures such as Umaru Yar’Adua, Atiku Abubakar, and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Tinubu was elected Senator, representing Lagos West, during the brief Nigerian Third Republic.
After the June 12, 1993, presidential election was annulled, Tinubu co-founded the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), advocating for democracy and the recognition of Moshood Abiola as the legitimate winner of the election. His pro-democracy stance led to his exile during General Sani Abacha’s military regime, returning to Nigeria in 1998 following Abacha’s death.
In the lead-up to the 1999 elections, Tinubu aligned with the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and won the Lagos State governorship election, serving two terms. He later rose to national prominence, eventually winning the 2023 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While the 1997 comments have resurfaced, their veracity remains uncertain, but they add an intriguing layer to Tinubu’s complex political history.
