By Yahaya Idris, Abuja
Hon. Olatunde Gideon Igbasan has rejected the argument that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Emi l’okan” declaration amounted to a claim of divine political authority, insisting that the statement must be understood within the context of the 2022 APC presidential primary.
Igbasan, who is the Director-General of the APC Youth Network West Africa, was reacting to comments by former Interior Minister and ADC National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Aregbesola had described the famous declaration as “despotism” and linked it to an alleged belief in a “divine right” to rule.
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But Igbasan said Tinubu’s actions before and after the statement did not support that interpretation.
Tinubu Had to Win Delegates’ Votes
Igbasan pointed out that Tinubu was only an aspirant when he made the declaration in Abeokuta.
He said the former Lagos governor had to campaign, persuade delegates and compete against other presidential aspirants before securing the APC ticket.
“Why was there a ballot? Why were other aspirants on the ballot? Why did delegates have the freedom to reject him?” Igbasan asked.
Tinubu eventually won the APC presidential primary with 1,271 votes, emerging as the party’s candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
For Igbasan, the process demonstrated that the statement was made within a competitive democratic environment.
‘It Is My Turn’ Is Not ‘Power Belongs to Me’
The APC youth leader said the meaning of “Emi l’okan” should not be expanded beyond what the political context supports.
According to him, the declaration amounted to a politician making a case for his candidacy and expressing the belief that his political experience and contributions justified his aspiration.
He argued that there was a clear distinction between saying “it is my turn” and claiming that political power permanently belonged to an individual.
“‘Emi l’okan’ was not ‘Nigeria l’okan’. It was not ‘Democracy l’okan’. It was not ‘Power belongs to me forever’,” he said.
Igbasan: Democracy Was Tested Through the Ballot
Igbasan said the APC primary itself provided evidence that Tinubu’s declaration did not remove democratic competition.
He noted that delegates were free to choose another candidate, while several aspirants participated in the contest.
He further argued that Tinubu later had to face the wider electorate before becoming President.
According to him, the political journey involved multiple stages of competition, from the APC primary to the general election.
“The ballot answered the slogan. The delegates had their say. The voters had their say. Democracy had its say,” Igbasan said.
‘Criticism Is Legitimate, But Context Matters’
Igbasan acknowledged Aregbesola’s right to criticise Tinubu and present a different political position.
However, he said criticism should be based on the historical context of the statement under scrutiny.
He recalled that Tinubu’s campaign organisation had previously explained that the Abeokuta speech was being interpreted without sufficient context.
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Igbasan therefore urged political actors to avoid turning political slogans into claims that were not contained in the original statement.
‘Ambition Is Not Dictatorship’
The APC youth leader maintained that democratic politics allows candidates to express confidence in their ability to lead.
He said an aspirant seeking the support of delegates was exercising political ambition rather than declaring himself ruler.
“A request for a turn is not a claim to a throne. Ambition is not despotism. Confidence is not dictatorship,” Igbasan said.
