On Tinubu’s Lifetime Ambition -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

It is no longer news,the national leader of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,has thrown his hat on the ring among the contenders who wants to contest the seat of the president. There is nothing wrong for Tinubu to aspire for the highest seat in the land. The history of Nigerian democracy can not be completed without mentioning his name.

During the dark days of military junta, Tinubu and other keys actors or activists played greater role in ensuring khaki men were pressurized to quit the stage and return democracy to the country. With the return of democracy in 1999, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, became the governor of Lagos State under the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD). His political influence did not stop in Lagos alone, but swept to the South West region. Ever since, with the exception of 2007 elections in which Obasanjo used federal mighty to snatch some AD controlled states, Tinubu remains force to reckon with not only in South West but also the country at large.
Nowithstanding, the jagaba of borgu has in various fora repeatedly appealed to either traditional rulers, political groups or even the national assembly to support his life time ambition. Abraham Maslow theory of needs put “self actualization” as the last to achieve in his hierarchy. Therefore, every human being wants to achieve it including the Tinubu. No doubt,Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to become Nigerian president his long time dream. Tinubu serve as senator and governor. He is one of the wealthier elite in the country with investment cut across various aspects of human development. Bola Ahmed Tinubu has contributed greatly towards the development of Lagos State. His eight years as governor of Lagos State witnessed massive infrastructural development which attracted thousands of investors across the globe. In 2007, he singlehandedly picked Babatunde Fashola as his successor. Currently, Tinubu remains the political god father of Lagos and some south west states. He also spearheaded the election of president Muhammadu Buhari both in 2015 and 2019.

While Tinubu has all what it takes to achieve his life time ambition such as money and political structure, there are many huddles waiting for him. The first problem jagaba will contend with, is his health challenges. Since the time he declared his intention, Tinubu has been reported to have visited UK twice to meet his doctors. While nobody is immune from sickness, at the age of 70, Tinubu health condition may become a challenge to him. Also, going back the memory lane, late president Umar Yar’adua health challenges almost throw the country into constitutional crisis. Are nigerians going to vote for Tinubu who is rumoured to be sick? Besides health challenges, Tinubu is considered too old to lead the country at this 21 century. Former Nigerian president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and other political analysts have advocated for youthful president in 2023. By next year, Tinubu will be 71 years old. This has clearly indicated, age is not on his side.
Tinubu presidency will be confronted by running mate conundrum. The questions begging for answers are: Is Tinubu going to pick a Christian running mate or flying the party ticket with Muslim? Looking at how the country is polarized along ethnic and religion fault lines, Tinubu is actually in dilemma. If he chooses christians as running mate, he will loose voters from the north east, north west and some north central states. What about picking a Muslim running mate? It will not work for him. Nigerians are going to see how Tinubu will resolve this knotty issue if flies the party ticket. Tinubu will also face formidable candidates from opposition parties especially the PDP. Can Tinubu actualize his life time ambition in 2023? Only time will tell.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state 08169056963.