Let me be clear about the next presidential election. I will not vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.

The many allegations against him (foggy identity/paternity, history of conviction for drugs, education or miseducation, corruption, gaffes, etc) are weighty, but not new. They are not the reasons why I will not vote for him. I do not want to dwell on the morality or immorality of his politics.

Anyone who knew him during his campaign for governor in 1998/99 will tell that he has become a shadow of himself. He is ill and unfit.

His ambition and hubris are tormenting him from state to state as he tries to market himself.

In 1999, he was the most colorful and inspiring of the AD’s candidates. I voted for the AD in Rivers State in that election and I wished we had him as the AD’s candidate in Rivers State. I did not know that he would “grow” to epitomise many of the things that are wrong with Nigeria and its politics.

Let us even accept the talking points of his supporters. They say he had performed wonders in Lagos (1999-2007). I say it is not the same Tinubu; the present Tinubu cannot even be trusted to make a speech. His supporters know it and they are always on edge whenever he mounts the podium.

I believe that Yar’Adua’s (un)fitness low bar encouraged the APC to launch Buhari’s lower bar. The APC has got away with Buhari’s failures and they are bent on Tinubu’s lowest bar.

Tinubu’s presidential campaign is a ridicule of whatever legacy of greatness he claims.

It is the unkindest thing to do to a country that has been so misgoverned by Buhari, a sick country that is in need of healing.

Tinubu’s supporters have their readymade excuse: it is democracy and we all have the right to choose.

Please, fellow Nigerians, do not allow the APC to choose another 4 or 8 years of chaos, poverty, and death. Tinubu cannot govern; he is not in a shape to govern even his own private affairs.

In case you think I will vote for Atiku Abubakar of the PDP (more about him in Part Two), perish the thought.

© Obari Gomba