Thursday’s visit to the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in London by the governors of Ondo and Ekiti states was more than meets the eye, sources close to the two governors informed First News.
Governors Rotimi Akeredolu and Kayode Fayemi of Ondo and Ekiti, respectively, had gone together, in the tradition of others, on warm greetings to the APC political tactician, said to be on bed rest after an undisclosed ailment.
Sources privy to the closed-door rapport of the three politicians revealed that the two governors actually seized the opportunity of the get-well visit to affirm their loyalty to Tinubu, following accusations that they were playing Judas.
The sources, all craving anonymity owing to the sensitivity of the issue, said Fayemi “was reluctant to go but was prodded to do so by Akeredolu”.
“You know Fayemi is hot on the card as one of those pencilled down as possible successor to President Buhari by a power bloc connected to Aso Rock.
“This particular group is not comfortable with Tinubu taking over as next President and is as such considering Fayemi with (Nasiru) el-Rufai (the Kaduna State governor) as his running mate.
“And it is an open secret that Akeredolu and Fayemi are like the snail and its shell; they move together in the same direction, always,” one of the sources explained.
It was gathered that Tinubu heard during the two governors’ visit that though considerable pressure had been mounted on Fayemi to run for President, he would not like to jump the gun.
“He (Fayemi) told Jagaban (Tinubu) that ‘Oga, you know I won’t take such a crucial decision without your consent. As the Yoruba say: the elephant’s child must remain muted while its mother is snorting’,” a source recounted.
Tinubu, it was gathered, reassured both governors that he brooded no ill-feeling against them, noting that he was always being buffeted by fellow politicians’ lurid stories.
The trio, excited by the mutual assurance of faithfulness, reportedly engaged in bear hugs and photo hops.
Tinubu, for upwards of two months now, has been in London, reportedly to avoid the hustle and bustle of Nigeria’s political environment, so as to take his due rest.
He reportedly flew in from the US where he allegedly underwent surgery over an undisclosed ailment.
A few weeks ago, President Muhammadu Buhari visited him, as had Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and many other prominent Nigerian politicians, at other times.