CULLED FROM NEWSHEREANDTHERE MAGAZINE
Hon. Bimbo Daramola is a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Oye/Ikole Ekiti at the National Assembly. Daramola in this interview with NEWSHEREANDTHERE spoke on the political permutations embarked upon by the African Democratic Congress, ADC Coalition to wrestle power from President Bola Tinubu. He also stressed on the significance of values and attributes in Political Leadership to earn credibility , consistent and vibrant followers.
Some Political Bigwigs in Nigeria have gathered to form a Coalition, ADC in order to wrestle power from the current administration. Looking at the likes of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and there was even speculation that former governor Kayode Fayemi is among. Don’t you think it’s a big challenge for President Bola Tinubu to realize a second term?
Let me give you a small illustration. When a small ant perches on the pants of a giant and stays on his scrotum, no matter the size of that giant, he will feel uncomfortable. You have already mentioned the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Nyesom Wike and others. All of them have their pockets of loyal supporters.
Atiku has been Vice President before; he has his loyalists, many from the PDP. Amaechi was once a Speaker, then a two-term Governor and later a Minister under APC. He also has followers. Likewise, the others you mentioned.
But one thing is clear: Nigerians will ask themselves what exactly these people are looking for. Some say these are the very people who messed up Nigeria. Now, just because they are forming a coalition, does that suddenly make them credible alternatives? Let’s not forget that many in APC today were also part of that same system. What did they do differently?
For me, it may not be a very strong contest, nor a truly challenging one, for several reasons. Firstly, many of them are already more focused on their individual ambitions to become president or to secure party tickets rather than building real structures to deliver.
Secondly, ambition itself is a major problem. Atiku is interested, Amaechi is interested, Obi is interested though Obi seems to be playing hide-and-seek between Labour Party and the coalition. This reminds me of the Tower of Babel, where everyone spoke different languages and no one understood one another. That’s a real challenge.
Thirdly, they are facing someone like Tinubu, who comes with 30 years of opposition experience. Apart from Buhari’s 2015 victory, Tinubu has been the face of opposition in Nigeria. He knows what to do and power is not going to slip easily from his hands.
Fourthly, Tinubu has related with all of them before; he knows their strengths and weaknesses. When you fight a man who knows your weaknesses, you must be very careful.
So, in my view, while the coalition might gain a few seats House of Assembly, Reps, maybe some Senators getting the big cookie,the presidency, will be a different ball game entirely.
Are you saying your party should outrightly dismiss the Coalition ?
Not outright dismissal, but understand it properly. Like I said with the giant and the ant analogy, the giant cannot be comfortable. He must be tactical in removing the ant, otherwise he may hurt himself. That’s exactly how the coalition should be treated, handled carefully, but not dismissed.
On Former governor Fayemi’s absence at Oyebanji/Tinubu’s endorsement in Ekiti ?
I am indifferent. Fayemi has issued a statement and people can judge whether it was timely or sufficient. But it is not my place to dictate where he stands. With time, truth always comes out like a pregnant woman who eventually cannot hide her condition anymore.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji (BAO) has made it clear he is fully with APC. He acknowledged the president’s support and has no reason to jump ship. More importantly, he is the sitting governor, the Sheriff in town, that cannot be ignored.
Will Ekiti 2026 Governorship election just be a walk away for governor Oyebanji?
On the ground, it is going to be tough, but BAO has the goodwill of the people. Social media noise is one thing, but real politics is another. People will have to face the reality of structures and voices across towns and communities.
What about political betrayals?
Even Jesus had Judas among his 12 disciples. Politics is not exempted from betrayals. Some will defect, some will scheme, but that does not erase the bigger picture.
What’s your next Political ambition, some said you would likely emerge the Ekiti APC Chairman?
I am not thinking about any personal political position for now. Nobody has discussed chairmanship or any such position with me. For now, my focus is simply to support BAO for his second term in 2026.
On leadership in political parties?
Leadership is not automatic. The fact that we belong to the same political party does not make you my leader. Leadership requires intrinsic values character, attributes and credibility. If I don’t see those values, I cannot submit my loyalty.
That is where I stand. I have not taken even a cup of water from APC as a position holder. But God has been good, too good and I’m not just saying this as another news talk; I have experienced God enough to say that I don’t fear anymore.Whatever posturing anyone may have about my future, particularly, does not move me.
Some said President Tinubu has failed them. Are you of the opinion that the Northerners will not vote him for a second time?
There’s no monolithic North anymore. It doesn’t exist. The nearest we could have had to a monolithic North was when President Buhari was alive. He was renowned and famed for having the 12 million locked-down votes.
But the truth of the matter is that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had done his presidential politics, his national politics, long before he became president.
For instance, there was a time Asiwaju once told me, one time when our case had just been thrown out of court, when Dr. Fayemi and Segun Oni were dragged into the matter, I said to him:
“Sir, I am not sure Ekiti will be able to appreciate you enough for all these things you are doing, for funding this party, for supporting Dr. Fayemi, for going back to court and all that.” And he said, “Bimbo, what am I expecting from Ekiti?”
His son-in-law was seated beside him. He grabbed a cup of coffee, chewed a piece of granite, and said:
“When I was supporting Mala Kachalla in Borno, was it because I was looking for something in Borno?” That’s the man who plans for tomorrow, yesterday. So, I am sure that the so-called exclusive expression of the North may not hold water. And I am sure Asiwaju will have his day with the Nigerian people at the end of the day.
There are people in the North who know they are surviving politically because of him. Everybody, across the length and breadth of this country, had one Jerusalem to go to when they had issues in their lives either personal, political or economic.