Good Lesson And Reflection Points From Aare Dr. Dele Momodu’s Stand And Conversation With Remi Tinubu
A fascinating conversation occurred in the city of Ikeja in Lagos State, Nigeria, on August 26, 2022, during the funeral service of the late Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, and we think it holds an excellent lesson and reflection point for all of us.
Held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, the solemn ceremony had many renowned people and notable names in attendance, including Aare Dr. Dele Momodu, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, and others.
Due to their very deep relationship and history together in the past and their present political and perspective differences, it wasn’t surprising that more attention than desired was paid by many at the event when Aare Momodu and Sen. Remi shared a moment of conversation.
Aare Dr. Dele Momodu and Sen. Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu at the funeral service of late Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson recently.
The Ovation Media Group Chairman and Publisher, Ovation Magazine, took the initiative to put out the accurate version of what transpired between them after the event, as such things can honestly no longer be left to chance in this digital and social media age.
And it is from his revelation that our reflection point and lesson for everyone emanates. According to him:
“Only two people, apart from the photographers, witnessed what happened between me and SENATOR MRS OLUREMI TINUBU yesterday, at the funeral service of CHIEF MRS KEMI NELSON, at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church in Ikeja, Lagos.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Aare Dr. Dele Momodu together in London in 1996.
Before some people add salt and pepper to it, I need to state precisely what happened. SENATOR TOKUNBO ABIRU and DR TUNJI OLOWOLAFE and I had walked in about the same time, and we went to greet my very dear Sister, SENATOR MRS OLUREMI TINUBU.
Immediately she saw me; we exchanged our usual pleasantries, and then she asked me, “So Bob Dee, you’re not going to campaign for my husband?” I smiled and remained very calm before replying: “Your Excellency, I’m in PDP.” She apparently didn’t find it funny and regaled us with the past I shared with her husband, and I tried to calm her down.
Anyway, I went back to my seat and pondered on what just happened, and I soliloquised: “Before the PDP Primary, I had been asked repeatedly by journalists if I’ll dump PDP if I don’t get the ticket, and my answer was NO. So if I had gotten the PDP ticket, would I step down for TINUBU of APC? The answer is NO.”
“I love ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU. We’ve truly come way back…But APC has done too much damage to Nigeria. I choose to place Nigeria above friendship.” – Aare Dr. Dele Momodu
I joined PDP because APC was leading Nigeria to Golgotha. APC candidates are promising to continue BUHARI’S “good works!” I joined PDP in order to sack APC from power, and to do this; I needed a strong opposition party.
I had preached to my younger friends that only a mainstream party like PDP could achieve this in 2023. This remains my conviction. I practice what I preach. Those who disagree are in other parties, and I respect their opinions and wish them well. I’m in PDP.
I love ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU. We’ve truly come way back. I love PROFESSOR YEMI OSINBAJO. I love RT. HON. CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI…And all my APC friends…But APC has done too much damage to Nigeria.
I choose to place Nigeria above friendship. I will try my best to support and encourage our PDP candidate ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR to do the right things in our party and to rescue our dear beloved country from the vestiges of oppression, religious intolerance, poverty, terrorism, infrastructure decay, economic wows, unemployment.
Ashiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and Aare Dr. Dele Momodu
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The big lesson to learn here is simple: There is no “greater good” or “show of loyalty” in any cause that deliberately pits you against the wellbeing and destinies of hundreds of millions of people whom your right decisions and choices can save from further enslavement, damnation, and sufferings!
As humans, we need to know where and when to draw the line in our quest for self-fulfillment and self-aggrandization. We cannot afford to choose to follow a wrong choice or person because we should “be loyal” or “we go way back” with such persons, especially when we know that such a decision will negatively and adversely impact millions of others.
Let us all reflect on this noble and bold step taken by Aare Dr. Dele Momodu today, and also ask ourselves a vital question, too, in the process: What are you willing to lose and give up for the redemption of this country called Nigeria from the death hole it has been plunged into by the All Progressive Congress (APC)?
