The overbearing influence of Seyi Tinubu over state affairs was first noticed prior to the Lekki Toll gate massacre of Nigerian youths who were out on a peaceful protest against police brutality. Seyi's company is alleged to hold the monopoly of right to the lighting and the camera system at the facility. Though, his role, or of the company was hidden from the prying eyes of the public but its effect set the stage for what will become the worse state onslaught against peaceful and unarmed civilians in human history. They set the stage for what was to follow by switching off the lights before the military opened fire on the citizens, sending countless to early grave. Till date, lack of public transparency still trails the tragedy.
The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces at that time was Muhammadu Buhari, who by implication is responsible for ordering the shoot at sight of the peaceful protesters.
The worst human puppet in the history of national leadership, once you can find a narrative to appeal to his ego you have pulled the string to get the puppet to dance to your sound. Buhari will later confess what the narrative that got the order out was; "the young people want to overthrow my Government"!
Who pulled the string on the President?
Though unseen, Seyi and Father's hands can't be exonerated from the deaths at the toll gate, while the yoke remains Buhari's burden to bear. Truth has never been buried successfully, if time doesn't reveal it, characters will!
Our King had hardly been crowned when the first son of Pastor Remi Tinubu for the President, Oluwaseyifunmi Tinubu , the Crown Prince of Lagos State and the Olu-Omo of Nigeria showed us their families mission to power. He showed up in the chamber of the state house pacing up and down needlessly during the Federal Executive Council meeting. The rudeness of his conduct not even his father could keep his pretence of. He was forced as it looks now, against his will to openly rebuke his son. Seyi according to Mr. President has no business being in the chamber during the FEC meeting.
Please, what business then does he have to be on the entourage to Qatar?
Tinubu said he will cut the cost of governance by limiting his entourage on foreign trips to 20 persons after the national outcry that greeted the trip to the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates where over 1400 delegates were alleged to have made the trip, and about 590 of them were sponsored by the government at an alleged cost of #885 million to taxpayers.
"Emi lokan"; seems to be clearly defined, "Emi lokan and Sons" Nigeria Limited!
The entourage to Qatar included 3 members of the Tinubu immediate and extended family, 35 members of the main body who arrived in 2 separate jets and an advance team estimated at 40 persons who also flew in a separate jet.
In all, 3 jets from the presidential fleet landed in Qatar, with about 70 persons, excluding flight crew of 15 persons for 3 aircraft.
The Presidency' s ear is lost. It is one which is not ready to be corrected . He has successfully surrounded himself with YES men; sycophants and hypocrites?
No man of conscience should spare Tinubu and sons on this!
I read a friend of mine who is an APC chieftain on the WhatsApp Platform of my Media friends and I was sorry for the President and his family. He wrote;
"This eyesore and hideous incident is another low for Tinubu as a leader. I was appalled and disgusted because this is coming when Nigerians are in pain, despair, hungry and angry about how they are being governed.
One can just imagine how the Qatari officials will be thinking when the President's sons who are not government officials or known investors could be there to talk less of being introduced before the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
I wish one could hear how Tinubu introduced his two sons.
Would he say:
"Meet Oluwaseyifunmi Tinubu my son, the first son of the Federal Republic of Nigeria".
And again:
"This is Oluwayinka Tinubu, the Second Son of The Federal Republic of Nigeria".
I'm just wondering what will be going through the mind of the Qataris.
This is impunity taken to the highest level. It is highly provocative and nauseating. It is disrespectful to all Nigerians. Tinubu is democratically elected as President and not as a King in a Monarchical country. It is high time people who are close to this president talked some senses into his head. He should cease from insulting and disrespecting us.
There is a thick cloud over this country. No one knows the straw that will break the carmel's back".
If my friend was angry with the President and his sons, I would not! My anger is with men who failed to lift up their heads when it matters, led by the Honourable? Can we in all honesty still retain any honour for men who couldn't stand up for their own honours?
Qatar's order of protocol is the most dishonouring one I have seen in my 57 years of life. Next to Tinubu and sons in order of protocol were, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Foreign Affairs Minister . The Minister was joined on the line of shame by the elected Governors of Borno and Kaduna, their Excellencies Babagana Zulum and Uba Sani. The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, made the line with Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals, same for Nuhu Ribadu Defence Adviser, Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, and the parrot at the Villa Ajuri Ngalele completed the line of "Iwofas"(serfs) who filed behind Oluwaseyifunmi and Oluwayimika Tinubu.
Church Ministries like public Ministries are held in trust for the people. Many don't understand it when we demand succession transparency and accountability for leaders of Churches. This conduct is not different from what the attitude of our church leaders are.
I assumed they managed the situation by not walking away from that line of protocol. I have waited to see a resignation by any of the appointees and a media chiding of what the elected Governors were subjected to by the sons of Tinubu but I seem to be waiting in vain to see if any iota of honour is still left with these men that should compell them to resign for breach of protocol and gross disrespect to their offices upon their return to Nigeria.
Dr Reuben Abati, who studied protocol for four years, who wrote and passed exams according to him, asked; “Are the sons of the President not gainfully employed?”.
And I also want to remind Sade, Seyi and Yinka that they are adults and not dependants of the President.
They should focus on their own careers".
What seems to be a rumour before 2023 that the President Bola Tinubu wanted Seyi Tinubu as the Governorship candidate for Lagos State seems to be adding up. I think we should be prepared for Seyi in Lagos as Governor in 2027. Mummy back to the Senate for senate Presidency and Oluwayimika can make do with the Chief of staff to his father. Please, don't dare say it is not possible! What have you done to the embarrassing impossibility that has become our reality in Qatar?
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamid, after his warm embrace of PBAT was led in hand by the President to the most senior official of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on his entourage without official Portfolio! Mr Oluwaseyifunmi Tinubu followed in order of seniority of protocol by Oluwayimika Tinubu!
Many Nigerians had risen in defence of this indefensible!
What have you seen in the media against this Institutional nepotism by Tinubu? Buhari was no where near this, when crumbs seeking South West Media descended on him. Where are they now? They are shut up by Awa lokan! If not for the Arise Team that raised this, it probably would have gone unnoticed!
Tinubu has exceeded Buhari in nepotism with the appointment of his son-in-law as DG FHA, his brother as a Minister, now his sons were presented to the world as the most senior officials from Nigeria after their father; even though they were banned from attending FEC meeting!
A pity, if Nigerians can't see this "Emi lokan and Sons" Nigeria Limited coming and rise against it!
Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He's also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table.
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