By David Kabiyesi
Gorgeously occupying the seat of power at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu has paid his dues as a true Democrat. His emergence as Nigeria’s number one citizen today came at a huge price in terms of sacrifice and self-denial.
While many were saved by the bell, President Tinubu was saved from the cold hands of death because of his love for Amala, a Yoruba delicacy.
Speaking during his short interviews on some of his struggles as a member of NADECO, Asiwaju revealed that he would have been six feet down if he had not turned down lunch served at his hotel in Cotonou to search for Amala instead.
At a time late Sani Abacha launched a massive manhunt for all NADECO members, Tinubu and the likes of Wole Soyinka and other members had fled to Cotonou for safety. But with Abacha doling out millions to the Benin Republic government in aid, NADECO members were sold out and Abacha was fed with fresh information of their hideouts
” We all fled to Cotonou for safety, but while Soyinka and the rest had money to put up at expensive hotels, I settled for less because I was broke. I was very nice to the receptionists who directed me to where I can get my favorite amala.
“On that fateful day, I rejected food served in the hotel as usual and left in search of amala, on my way back I saw two men with military caps, backing the entrance door while talking to the receptionists.
“But as I moved closer, the receptionist signaled to me to flee, I tiptoed backward and ran as fast as my feet could carry me. There was no way to make calls back then, so I quickly ran to Soyinka’s hotel only to discover they had fled too.
” After closing hours, the receptionists located me at the Amala joint and told me everything,” Tinubu said in an interview.
