A national leader and co-chair of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has extolled the virtues of the former interim chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande as he clocks 80 tomorrow (January 16, 2019).
In a statement on Tuesday, Tinubu described Baba Akande as a principled leader and compassionate human being possessed by a sage’s wisdom.
According to the APC leader, without Baba Akande, the party might never have come into existence and would certainly not have experienced the quick success it encountered.
“Bisi Akande stood as a father figure and mentor to many younger politicians across the country particularly in the Southwest. Because of his traits as an exemplary leader and mentor, many call him Baba awon omo ke ke ke, meaning the political father of the younger ones who come after him.
“He has shown that one can be successful in politics by being kind to all and making concern for the common person and for a just society one’s guiding vision. He is one of the most humane persons you could meet.
“Chief Akande is one of the few true associates of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Uncle Bola Ige around today. Like them, he devoted his public life to the ideals and practices that can engender a truly democratic and egalitarian society.
“He is a founding father of the APC and its unprecedented electoral victory in 2015. As the interim chairman of the party, he showed extraordinary adeptness and patience in bridging differences and moulding our new party into a progressive force. He helped lay a solid foundation for the party and did so selflessly and with impartiality,” he said.
The octogenarian was further described as a progressive stalwart regarding his objections, and proved to have an expert and diligent hand in terms of his administration of the machinery of governance.
“He was unwavering in pursuing what he believed was good and desirable for the state. He governed with a dignity that is rarely found. Yet, he would not flinch from doing what was right even if strong force was arrayed against him,” Tinubu added.
He also lauded Akande’s contribution to his Ila-Orangun home town, the Yoruba race and Nigeria.
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