Why I May Not Be Convinent With Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition -By Damilare Adeleye

It is no more any piece of news that the National leader of current ruling All Progressive Congress Party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has a burning desire and interest to contest the most coveted political position in Nigeria in the forthcoming 2023 general election. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a former governor of Lagos State who steered the affairs of the state between the year 1999 – 2007 when the country began this fourth republic. The Jagaban of Borgu, an honorary title given to Bola Tinubu by the Emir of Borgu in Niger State, is a well-known and national acclaimed socialist, philanthropist, business mogul and strategic politician who knows his onions very well in the game of Nigerian politics.

Tinubu’s presidential ambition had trailed the social media and public space with flyers, banners and posters courtesy of his supposedly campaign team: SWAGA, before his recent visit to the Presidential Villa to disclose to the President, Muhammedu Buhari, his presidential bid. Tinubu, undoubtedly, is a man of influence and major point of reference in the politics of Lagos State especially, and other South west states, even at the national level. He is a man considered to be the main figure who dictates who gets what as far as political positions and appointments are concerned in the South western parts of the country. And, that is why many referred him as a King Maker who chooses the kings and the chiefs who govern the kingdom. But on the contrary, even though I am fully aware of Tinubu’s masterminded strategy in 2015 which brought General Buhari into power; I still consider the assertion of his ‘dictatorship’ as erroneous because I believe Nigeria operates democratic system of government where every bonafide and eligible citizen is allowed to elect their leaders in accordance to their choice. And again, I believe that Asiwaju himself is a man of democratic principles and traits.

Appraising his accomplishments as the Governor of Lagos State, he is a character of credits and lasting legacy. During his reign, he created the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( LASTMA), established additional five general hospitals in some nooks and crannies of the state, maximise the productivity of the economy of the state, provided free healthcare services including free ante-natal care for women, pioneered the Bus Rapid Transit system and founded 37 local Council Development Areas to foster grassroots developments, among other basic infrastructural projects which his administration executed before he left office. Certainly, from the foregoing, beyond his educational and constitutional qualifications, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is indeed a presidential material for the country.

However, I have one or two issues with this highly respected gentleman and statesman. Bola Tinubu, unarguably, spearheaded the political merger that produced APC and President Buhari as a candidate in 2015. It was assumed and hoped that the coming of APC would transform, restructure and reform Nigeria’s systems and sectors which were not devoid of criminality. But contrary to our hopes and their promises, it is still now apparent that the party, at the national level, has failed to deliver the cogent needs of Nigerians since their more than six years in government. Before their emergence, the insecurity had not become rampant and everywhere. The economy was not as gloomy as it is the case now. The unemployment and poverty levels were not as high as they are being witnessed today. What many Nigerians had expected from the government are none avail. Our systems continue to be corruptly governed and operated. Favoritism and nepotism are in high prevalence in all our sectors both at the state and national levels. Instead to see the progress promised to us, retrogression and maladminstration are what we have seen so far. As a matter of fact, nothing has changed for the better!

Even though Nigerians would not have expected Asiwaju to know the deep intent and competence of Buhari before he marketed and promoted the man to us, it would have been glorious for him to have now denounced the adminstration seeing how it has mismanaged our socio-political and economic diversities. Or otherwise, make unreserved apology to Nigerians.

One thing more, they say till mankind becomes history, man will tarry in imperfection. Therefore, I hope Asiwaju himself would have realised his flaws and the wrong steps of this party. On that note, how does he plan to make Nigeria works better if he eventually becomes the next President? And does he want to make things turn around for the best of ordinary Nigerians? What are his idealistic and pragmatic solution to solve the problems and resolve the issues bewildering the country? Economy, insecurity, unemployment, poverty, education, ethnic differences, among others, what are his plans and arrangement to put everything in order? Certainly, Nigerians have had enough of their promises! We now need concrete and realistic measures with which he and his party intend to navigate to a better Nigeria which we all dream and anticipating.

Damilare Adeleye is a content writer and an undergraduate in Lagos State University. Can be reached via 0906356152.