One of the defining moments of the 2023 presidential campaign came during the APC Stakeholders Town Hall Meeting in Cross River State, where Bola Ahmed Tinubu once again demonstrated the kind of political maturity and strategic foresight that has come to define his leadership style.
In a move that surprised many, Tinubu invited Senator John Eno and Barrister Mary Okpere—two prominent APC figures in conflict—onto the stage and personally begged them to reconcile publicly, urging them to forgive, forget, and unite in the party’s interest.
This was more than a campaign gesture. It was a masterclass in conflict resolution and a hallmark of statesmanship. Tinubu’s ability to reconcile, unite, and move people beyond grudges is what sets him apart from other political actors in the country.
Opposition Blame Game: A Sign of Weak Leadership
Rather than reflect on their own party’s internal dysfunctions, opposition figures like Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar have chosen to blame President Tinubu for the disunity within their ranks, accusing him of orchestrating their internal collapses—a cheap and baseless assertion.
This deflection is not only weak, but a poor excuse for the failure of leadership and the absence of ideological depth within both the Labour Party and the PDP.
If indeed the President is capable of destabilizing entire political parties from the outside, then it says more about the fragile foundations of those parties than it does about the power of the President. Strong political institutions are built on loyalty, internal cohesion, and clearly defined values—not scapegoating.
Unity Requires Work, Not Whining
The truth is simple: Obi and Atiku must look inward. Instead of pointing fingers, they should emulate Tinubu’s example by resolving their internal wrangling, reconciling aggrieved stakeholders, and developing clear, consistent party ideologies. The President cannot be blamed for what is essentially a crisis of internal democracy and lack of conflict management mechanisms within their organizations.
Conclusion: Leadership Is About Building, Not Blaming
Bola Tinubu continues to display political leadership rooted in inclusion, dialogue, and reconciliation. The Cross River episode in 2023 wasn’t just optics—it was evidence of a deeper philosophy: that no progress can be made without unity.
Rather than blame Tinubu for their fragmentation, opposition leaders should learn from him. Because real leadership reconciles—it doesn’t retaliate or rationalize failure.
Dr. G. Fraser. MFR
The National Patriots.
Headlinenews.news Special report.
