He was prepared for the job and the rigour of discharging the huge tasks of governance in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous and highly heterogeneous country.
The outcome of the February 25 presidential poll, particularly the vote spread, attested to the true picture of a political colossus with a national outlook; an experienced, tested and trusted leader who commands a broad acceptability.
The road was rough and laced with thorns. The journey was long and tortuous. There were predictable distractions on the way. But, he was not distracted by the obstacles, the antics of detractors, the encounters that provoked fear, the difficult partisan negotiations, the financial demands of politicking, and obvious threats by rivals and competitors.
Now in the saddle, he is focused on repositioning the country. The socio-economic difficulties keep mounting. But, the unavoidable challenge of nation building is not beyond solution. Never afraid to take tough decisions and decisive steps in the spirit of reforms that may imply stepping on stones where necessary, he is gradually, but steadily ushering the country’s diverse people into a new dawn.
President Bola Tinubu’s life is full of lessons. A financial surgeon, deep thinker, strategist, meticulous planner, skilled mobiliser and consistent democrat, his uniqueness is underscored by a rare combination of self-confidence, sense of realism, sheer charisma and carriage, bravery and boldness and commitment to the goals of life.
Those who may aspire to future leadership, either at state or federal level, can draw inspiration from the style of the enigma, who seemed to have developed a life time ambition for the highest office in the prime of life.
The lessons are instructive. Tinubu achieved the ambition to serve in the current extraordinary capacity after passing through the furnace, assisted by the formidable structure he had built, his party’s network support of the masses and consent of the Creator.
The realisation of the latent aspiration translated into the fulfilment of destiny for the acclaimed ‘City Boy,’ who has been making impression on discerning Nigerians as the man of the future for three decades. It is also the accomplishment of the natural and legitimate craving to be counted among the great leaders in his generation.
In the hierarchy of earthly needs, self-actualisation is the highest in the totem pole. For many great men, particularly top political actors, it is often an elusive goal, especially if it is associated with the struggle for the ultimate power, which, as the Jagaban Borgu would put it, is never served ‘a la carte.’
In this difficult and challenging terrain, a titanic battle was fought and won by Asiwaju Tinubu, who excelled as a first timer in the historic presidential race, thereby achieving a feat that eluded the pathfinder and sage, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the Second Republic and billionaire business mogul, Bashorun Moshood Abiola, Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland, in the Third Republic.
When he went to Aso Villa, seat of government in Abuja last year to inform President Muhammadu Buhari about his intention to succeed him, keen observers knew he was the man to watch; the candidate to beat.
Having planned ahead, worked conscientiously, groomed many followers for leadership at local, state and federal levels, and successfully led the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to tough electoral battles in 2015 and 2019, the kingmaker was crowned king on May 29, 2023.
Adept in self-assessment, proficient in geo-political calculations and endowed with adequate verbal facility, he also employed the power of the tongue at critical moments. “It is my turn (emilokan),” Tinubu declared in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, during his consultations with political leaders ahead of the primary. The message reverberated across the nooks and crannies of the vast country.
Politics is unpredictable. Having prepared to also face the vicissitudes in such an arena, he placed his hand on the plough without looking back. His ambition was resisted in some quarters. He suffered backstabbing from unexpected corners. But, he never lost track. A tolerant and accommodating leader, he said he was prepared for betrayals. Yet, as he never held grudges, he also planned for forgiveness. On many occasions, humour became an effective adjustment mechanism.
The declaration of aspiration by Tinubu was not out of empty bravado, but a strong statement of intent by a determined warrior, who put everything he had into the contest, winning the shadow poll at Eagle Square in Abuja and defeating an old timer and veteran contestant, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and a noisy green horn, Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) during the general elections.
The first battle was zoning. But it is now debatable whether that factor effectively moderated or shaped the process, especially during the election as candidates from the North, West and East participated in the exercise.
Next was the primary hurdle, which he scaled with eight APC presidential aspirants stepping down for him few hours to voting.
Tinubu also ran into turbulence when he opted for the same-faith ticket by picking Senator Kashim Shettima as running mate. He was dubbed an unrealistic fellow who had boxed himself into a corner. It was an opportunity for opponents within and outside his platform to deliberately fan the embers of ethnicity and religion. But Tinubu who understands Nigeria perfectly survived the storm.
The campaign was rigorous, time-consuming and energy-sapping because the nature of electoral timetable released by the umpire. Armed with the “Renewed Hope” blueprint he traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria, explaining to voters why he was the best candidate. He never promised to sell Nigeria and its commonwealth, but to increase the wealth and foster good governance.
Tinubu manifesto on education, health and social welfare, economic revitalisation, power, transportation, industrialisation, job creation, oil and gas, and foreign relations revealed a depth of knowledge of the challenges. He offered the best campaign promise.
Other obstacles thrown on his path included the failed naira swap and inexplicable fuel scarcity which pitched many Nigerians against him and his party. The electorate was brimming with anger. It was not without justification. A section of the voting public pleaded vicarious liability, saying that Tinubu should atone for the sins of the government midwifed by the ruling party of which he was national leader.
Tinubu endured the stress of electioneering, including the unwarranted assault by social media trolls. He was mocked by rivals who depended on their commentaries to gauge and sway public opinion. Many libelous portrayals deliberately doctored to expose him to ridicule and incite Nigerians became a dominant feature; a daily routine of fables, falsehood and outright misinformation.
The conspiracy tested his resolve. Tinubu was painted as a frail-looking old man; a spent force who could barely make a coherent speech and walk alone unsupported, and a drug pusher. Although he was never indicted for sleaze, his foes branded him as a corrupt person. His speeches were misquoted and misinterpreted. Opposition figures doubted his academic credentials. He was serially accused of forgery.
Ahead of the poll, he acknowledged those running along with him, although he said he did not know where they were heading. But, he was clear in his own mind that he was going to Aso Rock.
However, in a certain respect, the social media was also a blessing in disguise. It was during the campaigns that the rumours and lies about ill-health collapsed like a pack of cards. Nigerians saw a president-in-waiting, full of zest, agility and balance on the podium.
On Election Day, Tinubu, who did extensive spade work, dazed his opponents who relied on tribal and religious sentiments. While rivals appealed to ethnic and religious sentiments, he focused on the generality of Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and political leaning.
The outcome was a product of hard work and a tribute to the growing consciousness among discerning Nigerians who opted for merit, competence and capacity. But, it was a keenly contested poll. The point of departure was the spread, which was clearly in Tinubu’s favour. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chaired by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Tinubu scored 8,794,726, trailed by Atiku’s almost seven million and Obi’s six million.
Objective observers and monitors reported that the exercise was free, fair, transparent and credible. Remarkably, Tinubu won in five of the six regions. He had the highest number of votes in the Northwest, North-Central and Southwest. He came second in the South-South and Southeast. PDP and LP candidates were jolted out of their delusion. The candidate they had sought to de-market and disparage stole the show.
Although his foes went to court by proxy to stop him, raising eligibility questions before and after the poll, the plaintiffs crashed at the temple of justice, to the consternation of their sponsors.
For almost three months, the polity was enveloped in anxiety after Tinubu was returned elected by INEC. That was when the battle shifted from the polling booth to the tribunal and later, the Supreme Court. He also won the cases instituted by Atiku/PDP and Obi/LP.
Since 2003, when he became the last man standing in the Southwest, Tinubu has been perceived by many as an oak tree offering protective shade to a vast progressive followership. He had become the most colourful and influential Yoruba politician in the post-Bola Ige era.
Disowned by the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, he thrived in adversity, surviving federal might under which his Alliance for Democracy (AD) crashed. PDP hawks, having penetrated the party crippled the platform.
Conscious of the internal contradictions in AD, which had become a weak vessel, Tinubu, a man of foresight, working in concert with like-minded people, spearheaded the establishment of another masses-oriented party, the Action Congress (AC), which later became the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He started building bridges and nurturing networks across the six geo-political zones. He made friends with those that mattered.
Since then, the restoration of the Southwest’s lost glory became his preoccupation. The party reclaimed Ekiti and Osun States from PDP interlopers. Not only did ACN consolidate its hold on Lagos, Osun and Ekiti, it also reclaimed Ogun and Oyo, thereby fulfilling the dream and vision of the departed fathers of the region – Awo, Adekunle Ajasin, Abraham Adesanya and Ige – that only a rational government bubbling with progressive tendencies should steer the affairs of the Southwest.
The monumental achievement was a worthy tribute to Tinubu and other credible, strong-willed, and principled progressive leaders in the region who stood firm during the dark period between 2003 and 2011.
For him, politics is a vocation and the scramble for power is only meaningful, if power is employed to bring succour to the generality of the people. If his sojourn in the corridor of power laid the premise for his political fame, his antecedent as a private sector operator actually prepared him for the future endeavour.
His professional colleagues and co-employees at Mobil Nigeria recalled the picture of a workaholic treasurer, who never compromised organisational goals of efficiency, productivity and office ethics.
He was persuaded to leave his lucrative career around 1989 to participate in politics as a “new breed politician”. He could not have been indifferent to politicking, having been brought up by the prominent women leader and Awolowo devotee, the late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, Iyaloja-General of Lagos, who played prominent roles in the Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Women Caucus, which revolved around the wife of the late sage, Yeyeoba Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.
In the Third Republic, Tinubu took the politics of Lagos West Senatorial District by storm. The leaders and people of the district who endorsed his ambition for the Senate in 1990 testified to his political prowess, mobilisation acumen, organisational ability, foresight and masterful logic.
During the screening of candidates, Tinubu scored the highest mark. He answered highly technical questions with immensurable wit. Old politicians on the panel, who had written off the new breed, changed their mind. They contended that the Lagos West senatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) would definitely shake Lagos in the future. On the day he was screened, he became an actor to watch.
During the election, Tinubu scored the highest number of votes in the West District, the largest in the country, beating his rival, the late Mrs. Kemi Nelson of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He scored votes which many governors could not garner in their states at that time.
Although he initially vied for Senate President, he was persuaded to step down for a Northerner, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, in the spirit of zoning, and understanding that the SDP presidential candidate would come from the Southwest.
His compatriots in the turbulent Senate, led by Ayu and later, Ameh Ebute, described him as a high flyer, tactician, and thorn in the flesh of General Ibrahim Babangida administration. As the military regime wobbled on in prevarication and deceit, Tinubu was among federal lawmakers who challenged the junta to a duel. He was among the brave ones who dared the military by insisting on a terminal date, which the soldiers had set for themselves. When colleagues were bought over with money, Tinubu was on the firing line; consistent and adamant. Ironically, the fall of the regime led to a chain of events, which consequently aborted his career in the Senate.
In the Senate, he was not a bench warmer. He was a firebrand and vocal advocate of an end to ‘militocracy.’ As chairman of the Appropriations Committee, he was irked by the kangaroo budget presented by the Chairman of the Transitional Council, Chief Ernest Shonekan, saying that it was not premised on need analysis. Sensing that the document could herald economic jeopardy, the committee sent it back to the executive for rework.
On the floor of the Senate, Tinubu asked the soldiers of fortune to pack their load, warning that further delay could lead to a popular uprising. When the 1993 presidential election won by Chief M.K.O. Abiola was annulled, he opposed the military’s rascality. He was among the SDP senators who stood behind Abiola till the end. He rejected the military carrot, which he knew would be accompanied with a cane.
Tinubu was marked for elimination. He had started suffering some bruises before he managed to escape abroad. In Lagos, he was detained before he left the country through the famed National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) ‘route.’ From the United States, he fired salvos at the late military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, financed Radio Kudirat and inspired other freedom fighters to sustain the tempo of anti-military struggle at home.
The pro-democracy elements who co-ordinated the titanic battle against the military, following the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Abiola, have attested to Tinubu’s inspiring and brave leadership as a dogged and principled fighter for justice.
Members of NADECO, of which he was an arrowhead abroad, have continued to speak glowingly about his dedication, conviction, fighting spirit and financial backing for a noble cause.
Tinubu, who returned from exile, bounced back in 1999. NADECO/Afenifere leaders insisted that he should serve as governor. To them, it would be suicidal to allow a military stooge rule Lagos, despite the fact that he had the full support of their colleague, the late Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu.
During the election, Tinubu defeated Chief Dapo Sarumi, the PDP candidate. It was ironic, because in 1991, he had backed Sarumi, the leader of ‘Primose’ for the job against the late Prof. Femi Agbalajobi, who had the backing of former Governor Lateef Jakande. Both camps paid for the crack on the wall, which allowed the NRC candidate, the late Chief Michael Otedola, to get to power.
As governor for eight years, Tinubu showed that he was an experienced and excellent administrator, who, through his achievements, laid the foundation for a prosperous Lagos. He instantly became a role model and the pride of the Southwest zone.
Others would salute his large heart as a cheerful giver, benefactor and godfather to many young politicians he had nurtured for public office. But more than that, Tinubu became a national property and detribalised apostle of unity. He became a bridge builder and strong believer in the prospect of one Nigeria premised on equity, fairness and justice
In 2003, he was re-elected, based on his performance and in spite of the hostility of Afenifere leaders, on whose back he had ridden to power four years earlier. His colleagues in Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Ogun states – Alhaji Lam Adesina, Chief Bisi Akande, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and Aremo Segun Osoba – were not lucky. Their governorship careers were consumed by the political earthquake that swept across the region. Up came reactionary elements who were clearly estranged from the legitimate aspirations of the Southwest.
Tinubu continued the battle of liberation under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. He challenged the Federal Government to a duel over its subversion of the ballot box. He became an advocate of electoral reform, which he said, was critical to the survival of democracy. Endowed with rare organisational ability and uncommon acumen, Tinubu’s pastime is strategic thinking. Thus, when his territory was targeted for liquidation in 2003, he anticipated the danger and put the enemy on the defensive. As a politician, he had never slept on guard.
He was the best governor of his time. Under his leadership, Lagos was a mini-country. He fostered inclusion by appointing competent Nigerians from other ethnic groups into the State Executive Council, boards, parastatals, local governments and the civil service. But, he never condoned indolence and made accountability his watchword.
His achievements across the sectors – education, health, security, judicial reforms, housing and infrastructural development, and expansion of the revenue base – have remained indelible. In those days, those feats attracted accolades and awards from many organisations.
Free education, free health services, gainful employment, rural development were pursued with vigour. The administration built more classrooms, rehabilitated existing ones, expanded health facilities, tarred roads and promoted security. He also introduced the BRT to ease intra-city transportation in the metropolis. Under the administration, Lagos became an attractive place for investment because of the conducive atmosphere.
Tinubu had initiated the Independent Power Project (IPP) which would have creatively resolved the epileptic power supply in the state. But the effort was thwarted by the Federal Government.
He had charged Lagosians to take their destiny in their hands. In response to their yearnings for grassroots development, 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) were created, following the conduct of a referendum. But former President Obasanjo wielded the big hammer, seizing allocations to the councils. For more than three years, they were nearly grounded to a halt, but for internally generated revenue, which was on the increase and became the saving grace. Through Tinubu’s financial engineering, the local governments survived.
From that stage, he embraced a new pastime; the battle for ‘true federalism.’ He intensified his advocacy for fiscal federalism, devolution of powers, state police and general restructuring of the polity. To him, a true and credible sovereign national conference was inevitable, not a decoy or peculiar jamboree.
In 2007, Tinubu handed over the reins to a competent lieutenant, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who built on the foundation he laid. He had wanted to return to the Senate, but decided otherwise. The coast was not clear. He advised Ganiyu Solomon to pick the senatorial form for Lagos West.
Outside power, he became the fierce leader of opposition. He also turned his attention to the battle for free and fair elections. No politician of note in the country has fought for electoral reforms more than Tinubu, who stood behind the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) like a rock.
Under his leadership, ACN enlarged its coast to the six geo-political zones, thereby becoming a national party and credible alternative. After regaining its prized stronghold in the Southwest, the party waxed stronger, winning seats in the North-Central, Southeast and South-South zones.
Apparently to silence him, Tinubu was arraigned at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for keeping foreign accounts. To the chagrin of his foes, the court toed the path of the rule of law, declining jurisdiction. The trial was another popularity test for the political megastar. On the way to the tribunal at Abuja, his popularity was on display and his supporters were denied entry into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
What pre-occupied his mind from 2003 was the need for unity of purpose among the opposition parties who worked at cross purposes, despite their numerical strength, ideological similarity and vision of a better society. The onus to break the jinx fell on Tinubu. Urging the leaders to sink their minor differences, he said they should make sacrifices and float a mega party to confront PDP.
From 2014, ACN opened talks with like-minded opposition parties. Tinubu re-invented the theory of the slaughter’s slab to suit the collective aspiration of the opposition. In his view, there will be no going back for the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), led by Buhari and Prince Tony Momoh, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) led by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, ACN led by Chief Bisi Akande and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, if they agreed to merge together into a single party.
The merger, he explained, would lead to the permanent withdrawal of their certificates by the INEC. Tinubu, the acknowledged party financier, provided selfless leadership and the quantum of resources for the novel project.
A man of history, Tinubu’s rise to fame is an act of God. He was not born into greatness; neither was greatness thrust upon him on a platter of gold. He achieved greatness through hard work, resolve, and determination. It is to his credit that he has demonstrated a huge capacity for the management of the achievements.
Born on March 29, 1952, the president is not a politician without a second address. He had endured, like many others, a difficult childhood and today, he has a tale of survival to tell. He was destined to be the man of the future, undeterred by his troubled past and other obstacles on the way of a struggling youth. He confronted life’s difficulties with uncommon courage, converting the obstacles into an opportunity to struggle, work hard and excel. His life became a lesson.
A promising young man, Tinubu left Nigeria for the United States of America in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece in 1975. He carried on his head the bow of fate and destiny, trusting that his maker will order his footsteps. If any youth travels to Europe or America today to do menial job, including being a gateman or a teacher, let him know that the president had passed through the same layers of life.
His next point of call was Richard Daley College, Illinois, where he was on the college’s Honours’ List, and later, Chicago State University, Chicago where he acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with specialisation in Accounting and Management. Studying at the institution was not child’s play.
Tinubu shone like a star at the institution. In his second year, he was accorded the honour of teaching remedial tutorial classes on part-time basis to the students of the faculty. He was focused and serious. He was on the Dean’s List throughout his undergraduate years. His awards included the Outstanding Students’ Award, University Scholar’s Award and Certificate of Merit in Accounting and Finance in his first year.
Politics was in his blood. Apart from his academic prowess, he was also a campus politician. He was elected President of the Accounting Society in his final year. The episode marked his journey to statesmanship.
After his university education, he worked with the American-based accounting firm Arthur Anderson. Later, he moved to Deloitte Haskins and Sells, now Deloitte Haskins and Touche, for professional training. He was always interested in learning for the purpose of professional fortification.
The young accountant also received professional training in other prominent firms, including General Motors, First National Bank of Chicago, Procter and Gamble, International Harvester, Fortune 50 firms, and DEC, the largest communication and utility company in the United States.
As a technocrat, Tinubu was devoted to the goals of organisational efficiency. The key was efficient performance. He knew that those corporations he worked with will never condone indolence, idleness and laziness. He was an outstanding staff traveling across the globe with huge responsibilities on his shoulders. He learned new things in his travels.
Between 1981 and 1982, he was a member of the Deloitte team that established the financial system of Aramco, the giant oil company. He was even retained by the firm to supervise the implementation of the new creation.
However, his employment with the Mobil Producing Nigeria as a senior auditor marked a turning point. He rose to the position of Audit Manager, and later Treasurer. Under his leadership, there was prudent financial management, aggressive corporate think-tank for the reorganisation of the company’s financial system and treasury activities, the integration of staff development, cost saving and fraud detection and prevention. The experience made Tinubu to describe himself as a financial surgeon.
His former boss, Otunba Solomon Oladunnni, former Mobil Oil vice chairman, said he was captivating to the oil giant during the interview session, adding that he displayed confidence, competence, skill, experience and capacity.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s contributions to the growth and development of the company, Oladunni said his audit report once indicted the managing director of the company. He was brave, bold and fearless. Oladunnni also recalled that he played a prominent role in the building of Mobil House in Lekki, Lagos.
The president is also a social enthusiast. In Lagos of the 70s and 80s, he rocked the scene. The story is told of how he followed a DJ to Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State, because of his love for entertainment. He is a lover of crowds; the masses, the poor and indigent, who are in the majority in the society.
For Tinubu and Nigeria, May 29, 2023, was a defining moment and turning point in national history.
How has the journey been since then? Many Nigerians believe he will make a difference and that the country will not remain the same.
President Tinubu has taken bold steps in national interest. He halted the fuel subsidy regime, which had enriched the privileged few at the expense of the generality of Nigerians.
He has been a listening leader, who is ready to govern according to the wishes of the people.
The composition of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) reflected the popular quest for inclusion. Due to his avowed commitment to cohesion and harmony, he has waved the olive branch to the opposition and even brought on board representatives of the various segments.
Tinubu has ensured women and youth inclusion. He has demonstrated the capacity to enthrone a welfarist government that would guarantee a new lease of life for the poor.
His investment drive is expected to yield greater dividends for the country.
Nigeria under him is increasingly becoming an active player on the international scene.
But, this is a period of great expectation. Much is expected from the administration across the sectors. In meeting the expectations, speed is also required.
The twin challenges of economic dilapidation and insecurity are still there. Big companies are folding up. Unemployment is growing in geometric proportions. Indeed, the economy is in turmoil. The high cost of living is unbearable for the masses. To escape the testing conditions, young Nigerians are migrating to other climes to seek the real or imaginary Golden Fleece.
Also, insecurity has not abated, despite the concerted efforts by government and security agencies.
Many Nigerians also expect the Tinubu administration to restore ‘true federalism,’ restructure the country and foster unity in diversity.
At the home front, Tinubu relies on the amazon behind the throne, his wife of over three decades, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, teacher, pastor, politician, humanist, philanthropist, founder of New Era Foundation and First Lady of the Federal Republic. Their marriage is blessed with promising children.
