Finally, Afikuyomi is Out of Political Wilderness

There was a time when Tokunbo Afikuyomi was one of the most powerful men in power in the political circle. His profile rose, to the envy of many when he became a senator on the platform of the then Alliance for Democracy (AD). He also belonged to the class of the highly privileged few who had the ears of President Bola Tinubu, who was then the governor of Lagos State.

As proof that he was not just a lightweight at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, he was, at different times, appointed to the committees on Aviation, Foreign Affairs, Women Affairs, Public Accounts and Federal Character. Indeed, he also enjoyed a robust relationship with the then President of the Senate, Alloysus Wabara.

Now, let’s take a cursory look at the flip side of his political adventure: In 2007, he literally played Oliver Twist when he began to manifest traces of an over-ambitious man. Many say he was under some illusion over the dummy sold to him by sycophants or political hangers-on.

He dreamt of becoming the governor of Lagos State, while Tinubu was interested in Babatunde Fashola, SAN. All entreaties to make him forego his political ambition fell on deaf ears.  Determined to actualise his dream, he dumped the AD and pitched his tent with the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). It was a wrong political move, which he expectedly paid dearly for. His ambition to be the number one citizen in Lagos received an instant kiss of death.

At the fullness of time, he retraced his steps, swallowed the humble pie and went to Tinubu, his hat in hands he was again received back into the fold with open arms by Tinubu, who ensured his appointment as commissioner under Governor Fashola.

Although many derided him for that singular action, Afikuyomi saw it differently, maintaining that it was in the line of service to his fatherland. Soon, he was dropped by Fashola.

 But driven by the desire to remain relevant politically, he worked briefly with Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as a Special Adviser. But it was just a fleeting ‘romance,’ as he later moved to London.

After the hiatus, he planned to return to the Senate to replace his successor, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, from the Lagos West Senatorial District. But it turned out to be a dashed hope.

However, the former lawmaker is now out of the cold and has heaved a sigh of relief, as he was recently appointed as Board Chairman of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).