May 29, Nigeria will witness the dawn of a new era. On that day, the world will stand still for the installation of the kingmaker as king. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be sworn-in as the 16th president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world.
Millions of Nigerians who believe in what Tinubu stands for are already jubilating across the length and breadth of the country clinking glasses of wine and rolling out the drums in special attires specially manufactured for the ceremonies where, according to the organizers of the event, over 200 presidents, heads of state and government functionaries will be in attendance.
Suffice to say here that the new Sheriff in town passed through the valley of the shadow of death on his journey to the Aso Rock Villa. His road to the presidency was rough and laced with thorns, pebbles and landmines. Even, some of the ‘boys’ he turned into men and empowered, betrayed him.
During the build up to the primary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the election proper, landmines were erected on his way by the so-called cabal or better still, conspirators within his party. But the man did not look back as he continued to put his hands on the plough. He didn’t lose focus for a second; rather he kept his eyes on the ball.
He held on to the popular saying: “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Not also fit for a seat in Nigeria’s house of power.
Some of his party’s bigwigs, including serving ministers went underground to support rival party, yet the man with a date with destiny surmounted all the banana peels.
As if that was not enough, some opposition parties mounted propaganda machine with the loudest voice to destroy his personality with all manners of fake news and frivolous cases filed against him in court to truncate his ambition, but this maverick politician and great builder of men and women didn’t blink an eye..
But, this is the time to move on and support this political enigma of our time who through his dexterity turned Lagos to an enviable position in Nigeria and beyond. It’s time to allow this man with his magic wand to put the country on the right trajectory for the benefit of all because expectations are so mountainous, especially with the beautifully crafted Renewed Hope ideology, envisioned by the grand master himself.
Tinubu is a destiny child, specially spewed out from the brightest side of hope and optimism at this critical time in the history of Nigeria to be the turnaround manager. According to Works Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Tinubu is on a mission to liberate Nigeria from the iron grip of oppressors. Fashola in an interview, recently, said that Tinubu is like Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, the best manager in modern football coaching. Fashola said that Tinubu knows his players too well. He gives his players all the football tactics but will always parade the touchlines to ensure there will be no mistakes.
In other words, Tinubu entrusts his team with assignments and still supervises the execution, unlike some leaders who give their team instructions and go to sleep. Not Tinubu!
President Muhammadu Buhari also has sweet words as tribute to his successor while giving testimony to Asiwaju Tinubu’s forthrightness, diligence and doggedness. Buhari said it was the same qualities that endeared him to the electorate and gave him all-round success as a private sector worker, a businessman and two-term governor of Lagos State.
Buhari said: “As one of the pillars of the APC, I commend the visionary leadership style of the Asiwaju of Lagos, who is also the Jagaban of the Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, for creating a formidable opposition party in Nigeria that worked vigorously within a short period to oust a party that had been in power for 16 years.
“Tinubu’s patriotism and commitment to democracy and good governance, and his generous spirit will always be remembered and appreciated by generations of Nigerians.
“I pray that the Almighty God will grant the Asiwaju long life, good health, wisdom and prosperity as he steadfastly supports efforts to promote the development of Nigeria.”
In addition, this is the first time Nigeria will have a leading light of democratic struggles as the president of this country. Tinubu is a democrat par excellence and a staunch believer in the rule of law – an apostle of progressive politics and sound advocate of government of inclusion. He believes in wealth creation through entrepreneurship.
No need consulting the crystal ball to know that this chess master in charge of the affairs of this country will lower the temperature of insurgency through appropriate policy of inclusion and drive excellence with multi-dimensional strategies by making our youths to embrace skills acquisition to become business owners rather than job seekers. That’s where the National Orientation Agency comes in to arrest the social drift of youths to Europe in the name of ‘Japa syndrome. As Tinubu is being handed the presidential mantle, let’s rejoice and celebrate the birth of a new nation, full of renewed hope.
- Otunba Olatunji, an APC stalwart writes from Lagos.
