You’ll never be Awolowo, Bode George tells Tinubu

Bode George

A Peoples Democratic Party leader in Lagos State, Chief Bode George, says a former Governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will never be like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, no matter how hard he tries.

Tinubu, who is a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, is said to be largely responsible for the successful merger of the APC due to his influence across the South-West and parts of the South-South.

However, George, while addressing journalists during a meeting with beneficiaries of a scheme by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, said Awolowo, during his time, ensured free education across the Western region when he was the premier.

He, however, said that Tinubu had failed to impact positively on the lives of people but was only interested in enriching himself.

He said Tinubu started off by wearing Awolowo’s kind of cap and then wearing round glasses like Awolowo to deceive the people but his deeds were nothing compared to the late sage.

He added, “People like papa Lateef Jakande, General Mobolaji Johnson would be spinning wherever they are. Tinubu said he did a one-million-man march but that it is a joke.

“For 16 years they (APC) took us to a bridge that led us nowhere and now we are looking for the road to freedom because they have taken us to a point that future generations will not forgive them for.

“Papa Awolowo did so much for the Western region and the nation’s education and that is why every March 6, we remember him. The hood does not make a monk. He (Tinubu) started wearing round glasses, wearing papa’s caps and raising two fingers but he has forgotten the two fingers now.”

George said it was hypocritical of Tinubu to sue the African Independent Television over a documentary the station aired against him.

George, however, urged the judiciary to be fair in handling the case as he had once been a victim of a wrong conviction.

The PDP leader urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that card readers were functional before the March 28 presidential election.

He said if the machines malfunctioned, it could lead to electoral violence

George added, “It is brilliant to use the card reader but has it been tested? The trial was just done on March 7 and we were to hold election on February 14. So, if we did not cry out, we would have gone to election like that?

“We don’t want violence but violence begets violence. If you put in place all the apparatus and everything needed, there will be no violence but if people get there that day and they cannot vote, people will grab the INEC persons there and beat them up. This election is very strategic and will determine the future of this country.

“These elections are too strategic and we cannot afford any experimentation.”