Tinubu turns 65 today.

“IF your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

This famous quote by John Quincy Adams, an American statesman, diplomat, Senator, member of the House of Representatives and the sixth president of the United States from 1825 to 1829 aptly describes Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His life is nothing but a portrait  in service. The struggle to enthrone democracy in the country has remained his sole preoccupation. Since the early 1990s when he threw his hat in the political ring, he  has never looked back. He has suffered abuses, accused, humiliated, but he has refused to be cowed. Not even by the military junta. Today, even his worst opponent cannot ignore him.
“My public life spans over three decades. I have had my share of triumphs. I have felt the sting of setback. Through it all, I have tried to keep faith with the overarching vision I earlier set forth – of a more democratic Nigeria with a robust economy that provides sufficiently for all.
Throughout most of this time span, the strategic focus has been on politics, free enterprise and assuring democracy. I believe the toil and sacrifice has been worthwhile. We have secured democracy in Nigeria. Now, our strategic leadership must focus on realising the second part of that vision – the economic component,” he one declared.
To say the former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has become not just a politician, but a living legend, is a statement of fact.
As one of  Nigeria’s most popular political icons and mobilisers, he is an inspiration to a large population of Nigeria- politicians and non-politicians alike. He is loved and dreaded by associates and opponents as a result of his political sagacity and dedication in the service of fatherland. 

According to Segun Olulade, a member, Lagos State House of Assembly, “Tinubu’s many sacrifices are unusual. His contributions to political and national development are unequalled in this generation. His legacies for Nigeria’s democracy will take another decade to see their likes.  His influence across all industries and strata is not a coincidence.
The growth of his political reign has witnessed ingenuity, hard work, commitment to the masses, love for the country, firm belief in teamwork and exceptional gift ordained by God. He never fought clandestinely.
Issa Aremu, foremost labour leader agreed.
“At a time most Nigerian politicians are insular and killing their fellows to be local gaodfathers and local champions, Tinubu is a national and pan-African politicians attested to by his remarkable outreach in West Africa sub-region in particular and the continent  as a whole.
The political career of the man fondly called Jagaban Borgu began in 1992, on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) where he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent the Lagos West constituency in the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic.
Following the annulment of the results of the June 12 1993 presidential elections, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which mobilised support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of the election won by MKO Abiola. He went into exile in 1994 and returned to the country in 1998 after the death of General Sani Abacha, which ushered in a transition to civilian rule.
In the run-up to the 1999 elections, he emerged the governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and won.
During his eight-year period of office, he made large investments in education in the state. He also initiated new road construction, required to meet the needs of the ast-growing population of the state.
Tinubu, alongside a new deputy governor, Femi Pedro, won re-election to office as Governor in April 2003. All other states in the South West fell to the People’s Democratic Party.
He was involved in a struggle with the Federal government over whether Lagos State had the right to create new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to meet the needs of its large population. The controversy led to the Federal government seizing funds meant for local councils in the state. Rather than deter him, that action by the President Olusegun Obansanjo-led Federal Government fired him as he revved up his development in the state. His performance, put the former nation’s capital on the road to becoming a mega city.
However, over a decade after leaving office as governor, Tinubu’s political horizon has continued to expand, such that no serious political discuss can be concluded today without a fair mentioning of  his name.
In deed, the story of how he led the defunct All Progressives Congress (ACN) from a one state party to victory in at least half a dozen states is too well know.
To cap it all, he spearheaded and midwifed the first political merger  in the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC).