By Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Many people wonder why Rauf is so dear to my heart. Others don’t just wonder, they think of the two of us as conspirators. Yet others believe he has an unusual hold of me and can easily get me to do anything he wants.

This tribute is an opportunity to dispel such misconception of a relationship of mutual respect developed over many years of struggle. This struggle takes place simultaneously at two levels. First is the never-ending struggle of myself and Rauf over ideas, the significance and purpose of mankind and the best strategy to use political power to bring out the humanity rather than the bestiality in men. Sometimes I win the battle by drawing arguments and examples from the liberal- democratic values that my training and orientation in the matured democracies of the United States gave me. Sometimes, he wins by his advocacy of dialectics and socialist principles.
The fortune of agreeing at some point despite approaching issues from opposite direction excites Rauf because it is his own way of demonstrating the synthesis that his Marxist ideology teaches. To me, liberalism encourages the blooming of ideas in the sure conviction that the best ideas will ultimately win.
Once we disagree to agree, one thing is certain. You can be sure Rauf will execute with precision. This is what happens in the second theatre of our struggle when we come together with other allies to deploy our human and material resources to engage our political opponents within and without. Political formations are so dynamic and interesting that alliances and interests change, allies become opponents and opponents can become confidants. Without rock solid confidants to constantly review the changing terrain and the ups and downs they feature, any politician would be out of the race in a short time. In our struggles, Rauf and myself emphasize that we woo opponents to our arguments, not out of weakness but a deliberate strategy to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
It is significant to note that we joined forces at a time of mutual need. Rauf and his colleagues had mobilized a group of young reformers whose mission was to change the content of politics in Alimosho area. They had identified the elderly men with progressive inclination such as Baba Orelope and turned themselves to their foot soldiers. But their effort to convert their new-found grassroots followership to political power floundered because of material limitations. On my part, my initial interest in political activity was by supporting progressive groups. The decision that converted me from political philanthropist to aspirant encouraged me to search for groups which were on ground in the Lagos West Senatorial district where I was to run as senator on the platform of the Social Democratic Party. Rauf’s team proved their mettle by ensuring that Alimosho country voted en –mass in the primaries and general elections.
There is no doubt that when you have such a long relationship, things get to a point when you don’t even need to argue over some matters because there have been precedents. We would have taken decisions based on certain principles. In such instances, adhering to the rules of our game makes it easier to move to action. This meeting of minds is perceived by some as the control of Bola by Rauf and vice versa.
Sacrifice is the currency of loyalty. When you are faced with two tempting options, economists tell us that each choice makes opportunity cost of the others. Opportunity cost is what you sacrifice to be able to afford or take that choice. To start counting the number of sacrifices Rauf has made in defence of our political movement and myself in particular will amount to a tome of books. They are too, too numerous. Each time he gives up his comfort and takes risks, he adds value to our organizational cohesion, advancement and maturity.
As he turns 60, we are grateful to God that he has made his life available for mankind to use. He has used his life to add value to mankind. Since this is what he set out to do quite early in his life, it can be said that he has conquered. It is a befitting pedestal to build on by serving the masses he loves so much and making dreams considered unattainable the reality of life in the state of Osun and Nigeria in general. Happy birthday.