President Bola Tinubu is 72 years old today. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines how he is tackling the challenges of governance at this critical time, amid mounting public expectation
He is not rolling out the drums. To the discerning, there is much to be celebrated, judging by the decisive steps he has taken in the last 10 months and what he has achieved in less than a year.
But, President Bola Tinubu is opting for quietness as dictated by public mood. As he turns 72 today, he, like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is thinking about the problem of the country; its dimensions, magnitude, etiology, and strategies for problem solving.
Critics are not looking at what has changed for the better. They are only focusing on what remains to be achieved. There are pains to be endured, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
If the President had not assumed political control, the country could have been worse for it. Yet, for a political elite and unpatriotic confederates that have adjusted to governance as tea party and business as usual, the paradigm shift is confounding, unexpected and obstructive to wealth accumulation and appropriation of privileges to the detriment of the masses.
To them, the reforms of the Federal Government across the vital sectors are burdensome. Indeed, the measures hinder the habitual pillage of the treasury and the promotion of institutionalised corruption. The result is an elite conspiracy against a government that is working for the people and laying a new foundation for a prosperous future.
Ironically, the masses, who are in the majority and targets of the reformation process, are impatient, as they join the hardship chorus, many of them having been swayed by the antics of serial propagandists, saboteurs and barons trying to resist correction. The unscrupulous elements are fighting back, wiping sentiments and trying to intimidate a legitimate authority. It is a lost battle against an experienced leader, whose antecedents imply, in part, a resistance to intimidation and timidity.
Tinubu’s life has been a lesson in courage, perseverance, foresight, focus, and loyalty to cherished progressive values and principles. He has been a great risk taker, a bridge builder, a thinker, a hunter for talents, a man bubbling with national outlook, and a total Nigerian.
He has made a lasting impression in politics, and those aspiring to national leadership should be ready to pass through the same furnace. Even as president, Tinubu is still the most vilified politician in the land, with recruited social media ruffians waging the most virulent attack on his personality, spreading rumours and peddling falsehood, twisting facts and evading reality.
Feeble-minded opposition leaders, intermittently waking up from their slumbers, sustain the constant abuse by financially induced miscreants, with an intent to weaken, in their imagination, the administration ahead of the next election. They have no business with governance other than to plan for future elections that may still not be determined in their favour by the electorate who are acquiring the skill to vote wisely.
They have allies in garrulous labour leaders flouting the rules of union engagement at will, pandering to ethnic appeal and taking a partisan position that has confused the public about their roles and disguised intentions in the polity.
The occasional onslaught by the remnants of terrorists is amplified to intimidate, to make it appear that a gross failure is being recorded in the arduous task of securing Nigeria. Some regional leaders and ethnic mouthpieces cry wolf, forgetting that they have also abandoned the role of building support for the anti-insurgent onslaught in their region.
Protests are sponsored against the government. But, lacking substance, they crumble from the onset, the plan having been erected on a porous foundation.
Tinubu administration is on course. Not all the challenges have been fully resolved. But, the timely surgical or rescue operation is yielding fruits. There is an assurance that the effective implementation of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ will eventually reposition Nigeria for excellence.
Tinubu’s government will be assessed by objective analysts, based on two core parameters: economy, and security. The scope is huge. But, there are other criteria: has the president lived up to expectations as a democrat? Has he been able to foster integration through inclusion? Does he have the potential to become the unifying factor in a highly heterogeneous nation-state?
Answers to these puzzles will point to the profile and stature of Asiwaju Tinubu, not only as a legitimate reformist leader but also as a statesman and father of the nation in whom much confidence is reposed.
Democracy:
Tinubu’s presidency is not a product of a rainbow coalition of military Generals in blissful retirement itching to teleguide those in power. There is a clean break from the past His emergence as the president of Nigeria, particularly his vote spread, attested to his national acceptability and credibility. Being a democrat, he has always demonstrated sensitivity and taken critical decisions, following widespread, constant consultations with stakeholders, including the parliament, the ruling and opposition parties, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), and civil society organisations. The National Leader is accessible. There is no room for dictatorship or executive recklessness at the centre.
Unlike the preceding administrations, a cordial relationship exists between the Executive and the Legislature. It is characterised by mutual respect and cooperation in an atmosphere of separation of powers. There is no friction because both organs see themselves as partners in progress in the defense of national interest.
President Tinubu has never seen himself as an oppressive emperor in Aso Villa issuing commands to governors with threats. Rather, as a federalist, he believes the sub-nationals are coordinated with the central authority without impairing their constitutional autonomy. Also, there is equal treatment of the states, whether the governors belong to the ruling or opposition parties.
The president has not interfered in any off-season elections. There is no personalisation of power and demonstration of federal might. He has stopped the misuse of police and military as tools of intimidation, oppression and repression during polls. This has been attested to by Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang and his Bayelsa counterpart, Douye Diri, who have hailed his unusual neutrality and democratic maturity.
National integration and inclusion:
President Tinubu is a believer in unity in diversity, which his administration has come to reinforce. Appointments into the federal cabinet have been dictated, not only by merit and competence but also by federal character, equity and national interest. A sense of belonging is accorded to the diverse ethnic groups, whose identities are protected and yearnings, based on their peculiarities, are met. Also, the distribution of developmental projects is not lopsided. Suspicion and mistrust that characterised federal/state relations in the past are removed and aptly replaced by trust and confidence building.
The president is a listening leader; very accessible and ready to admit mistakes and eager to swiftly correct unintentional errors. On several occasions, he has retraced his steps, following public outcry. But, he has also been firm, resolute and determined whenever he is convinced about a course of action.
A feature of the administration is gender balance and youth inclusion. This has been reflected in nearly all the appointments made so far; in the cabinet, boards and parastatals.
Restructuring:
Gradually, Nigeria is dropping the relic of the unitary system masquerading as federalism. The foundation built by the immediate past administration is being sustained in this regard. States and groups of states or regions now have opportunities to reorder their priorities in this period of decentralisation of rail transportation. Already, Abia State under the leadership of visionary Governor Alex Otti is finding a solution to the electricity crisis, making investors gravitate towards the Southeast state. The credit in Abia should also be shared by the pioneering initiative of Prof. Bert Nnaji.
That power can now be on the Concurrent List is good news. In the past, the Eron/public-private initiative was frustrated in Lagos when Tinubu was governor. Being a corrective regime, President Tinubu has now signed the Electricity Act Amendment Bill 2024 into law.
Recently, President Tinubu also rallied the governors to consider state police as a panacea to the lingering insecurity. It is expected that the ongoing constitution review would give operative content to the push for the devolution of power.
Security:
The anti-terror war has been reinvigorated. Terrorists, bandits and kidnappers are losing their hold, making them take on soft targets, including vulnerable school pupils. The Federal Government has maintained that ransom will not be paid and there will be no hiding place for kidnappers.
Indeed, there is increased budgetary allocation to security. The security architecture has been reformed and the government has procured advanced weaponry for the Armed Forces. It has also escalated intelligence-based security management to higher levels. Kinetic engagements with bandits and insurgence have been sustained.
For the war to be won, the cooperation of the regional political and religious leaders is required. The fact that some people have volunteered to negotiate with the bandits, insurgents and kidnappers is an indication that their identities are known. The motivation for banditry should be uncovered and understood. Unless the causes are tackled from their roots, the war may still not quickly end.
Economy:
The economy was on crutches when the President took over. It was possible that the president would have been taken aback after opening the files, particularly the financial books. The past belongs to history. The present is redeemable. The future can be safeguarded with meticulous planning.
The first courageous step was the removal of the oil subsidy. It was not popular with the few beneficiaries, who have been fighting back. Neither was the logic understood by the common people, who are expected to benefit from the decision.
The removal led to an increase in revenue, which is being distributed to states and development for developmental purposes. The onus is on governors and council chairmen to complement the efforts of the Federal Government to mitigate the effects of removal.
This is a very challenging time. But, as explained by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, bold economic reforms undertaken by the administration, resulting in short-term hardships, are borne out of a deep-seated commitment to Nigeria’s long-term prosperity and stability.
President Tinubu inherited a daunting economic landscape, necessitating decisive action to alter the nation’s downward trajectory. With unwavering dedication, the government is striving towards a prosperous, healthy, and globally competitive Nigeria.
The agricultural initiatives are encouraging. There is evidence of an increase in the supply of subsidized fertilizer, supply of farm inputs such as seedlings and implements, expansion of investment in agricultural irrigation to increase food production, establishment of Skills Acquisition Centres by NASENI and strengthening of Small and Medium Scale E Development Fund and the Bank of Industry.
It is noteworthy that the administration has declared a state of emergency on food scarcity and set up interventions on food security, food pricing, and sustainability. The activities of saboteurs hoarding palliatives, smugglers of food, and other commodities are also being checkmated.
State governments have to do more as the farmland belongs to states. Rural roads leading to farms are required for easy transportation of farm produce to towns and cities.
No doubt, the government is wooing domestic and foreign investors. But their confidence should be boosted by improved home conditions. Inflation is still high and interest rates on loans constitute a disincentive to borrowing. Yet, only increased productive activities can bolster the economy.
The manufacturing sector is still on its knees. It is the key to employment, not the restrictive job offers by government agencies. If the government can effectively resolve the electricity challenge and the refineries are back on their feet, all will be well.
Other outstanding matters:
Students look forward to the implementation of the student loan scheme. For students, this is more than inclusion. It is the baseline for the miniature review of cost sharing in tertiary institutions. The bill has been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly. The government should expedite action.
Oustanding labour issues proposed by genuine labour leaders should be addressed. The resort to strike or threat of strike is becoming monotonous. Labour should also demonstrate maturity, responsibility, patriotism, and understanding when it is required.
President Tinubu should continue to fight corruption with vigour. His style of preventing graft is commendable. Under the administration, indiscipline is not condoned. Thus, the President received commendation when the Humanitarian Minister Dr. Betta Edu was suspended for an alleged infraction. The report by the committee set up to investigate her has been submitted.
It is gratifying that other ministers are being assessed by Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring. This will not only keep the members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in check but also motivate them to perform to expectation.
Time is not waiting for anyone. In May, the administration will be one year in office. It means that the President only has two years of active work before the commencement of the next electioneering. Therefore, speed is required.
Citizens should cooperate with the government in its bid to ensure a new life of life.
Party management:
As the leader of the ruling party, President Tinubu should keep his house, the APC, in order. That is why the new reconciliatory move in the party is a step in the right direction.
