By Abiodun Omonijo, 24th April, 2025
News SOCIETY WATCH following for you : To anyone surprised by the ongoing implosion within Nigeria’s political space—particularly the crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—you may need a crash course in the political history and strategic depth of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Lion of Bourdillon and Jagaban of Borgu.
The unraveling of the PDP is no accident. It is a well-orchestrated political chess game that’s been in motion for years, driven by Tinubu’s long-term vision and relentless ambition.
A Strategy Rooted in History
Let’s not forget, the PDP once vowed to rule Nigeria for 60 years. While in power, they left no stone unturned in weakening the opposition. Using both legal and not-so-legal tactics, they snatched key opposition members, sponsored internal sabotage, and fractured rival parties. They institutionalized impunity, silenced dissent, and manipulated electoral outcomes. The 2007 elections, widely regarded as the worst in Nigeria’s democratic journey, stand as a testament to their reign.
But there was one man who stood firm: Bola Tinubu, dubbed “The Last Man Standing”. It was his resilience—supported by the courts and powered by strategic alliances—that helped prevent Nigeria from descending into a one-party state.
Now the Tables Have Turned
Fast forward to today: the same man who endured it all now sits as President, wielding political power with surgical precision. And true to form, he’s ensuring that the same PDP that once served the opposition “breakfast” now gets fed the same dish—with interest.
This isn’t revenge. It’s political equilibrium. It’s strategy.
As political scientists observe, what Tinubu is doing is not just about winning elections. It’s about redefining the structure of power in Nigeria.
Key Questions for the Future
As this strategic play unfolds, it leaves a trail of big questions for the coming years:
Will Tinubu’s onslaught completely suffocate the PDP?
What becomes of the APC post-2027, assuming the President secures a second term?
Can the core APC leadership manage the political appetite of ex-PDP heavyweights now in their fold?
How will the Tinubu political dynasty balance power with remnants of the CPC and Buhari’s loyalists?
What does Nigeria’s political terrain look like in 2031, in a post-Tinubu era?One thing is clear: President Tinubu is not just playing politics—he’s restructuring the game board itself.
As political scientist Harold Lasswell famously put it:
“Politics is who gets what, when, and how.”
And no one understands that better than Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
