As the 2027 presidential race hots up, there is heightened fear as to whether current president Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves to join the fray, considering the groundswell of opinion against him from certain parts of the country.
Let’s start with the record of the previous president, Muhammadu Buhari. His first four years went like vapour. Except for those surrounding him and with government positions, very few knew what happened. The four years were characterized by pulsating heartbeat, sweat, anger, and hunger. Except for those appointed into government positions, there was nothing for the rest. Next were debates on his health status, how former president Goodluck Jonathan plunged the country into debt! Otherwise, there was nothing to write home about. President Buhari was so disinterested in governance, it was like he was doing Nigerians a favour by accepting to rule.
He rarely made any worthwhile appearance on Television except on Federal Executive Council days. Now, roll over to the next four years. Having endured his last disastrous performance, his party, the All Progressive Congress {APC, begged for forgiveness and asked the electorate for another chance. well, to cut a long story short, Buhari performed even poorer in this second outing. This was the period when his government borrowed so heavily that frightened donors refused to give further credits. But Buhari wasn’t perturbed; he turned to what is called in the Nigerian financial lexicon “ways and means.” Oops, never heard of this before. By this magical process, trillions were to be swallowed for nothing! The CBN became their cash cow, and the same to NNPC that funded almost every inconceivable dirty deal.
In all, the nation shook and reeled from the backslap of these dreadful policies. We will skip the nepotism, insecurity, kidnapping, and banditry that again rocked the nation to its very foundation. In fostering nepotism, Buhari almost forgot he was president of Nigeria; he surrounded himself with those he called his relatives and even approved a Railway track to Maradi, not to Lagos, Maiduguri or Kano! It was in Buhari’s era that we had Bandit Negotiators who intervened between the government and the bandits on what to pay as ransom. That particular man has since faded into oblivion because it was all along a ruse, another evil scheme. When the eight years rolled away, Nigerians prayed never to have such a character as president again.
Mind you, the most remarkable features of this period excluded any significant improvement on road infrastructure; Nigerians cried and wailed as motorists plying through Nigerian roads suffered devastating hardship! And if NASS members are not planning to stage a Public Hearing on perceived violations, the notorious oil marketers are threatening to sabotage fuel importations, while Tanker drivers pushed for a strike claiming spurious reasons. The entire nation was turned into a big jungle of anything goes, and when the very means of living- money was tampered with, that was the height of insensitivity. Well, not to stress this point further, Buhari eventually left, and Tinubu emerged on the scene. This was in May 2023. Since then, the difference has become clearer.
Tinubu came on and hit the ground running. He did not waste time in distancing himself from the oddities of the Buhari era. You all know that, unlike Buhari, who was dull and languid, Tinubu is stylish, active, and a complete showman. In Tinubu, there are no dull moments. He cracks jokes and exchanges banter with people. That won’t happen under Buhari, who often kept a straight, expressionless face. This simple difference has resonated in the way of doing business in Nigeria. There is now confidence and the government is now open.
Tinubu runs an open government and embraces people from all walks of life. Tinubu is sociable, approachable, and full of progressive ideas. Some people have cracked jokes that he uses expensive perfumes which was not the case with his predecessor. That good smell that oozes from fragrances like Calvin Clien, Azzaro, Lacoste, and Creed has spilled over across the nation where programmes and activities are visible. In less than two years, Abuja has experienced an unprecedented facelift with bridges, flyovers, laybys, kerbs, and streetlights! Aso Rock, the seat of government, has suddenly come alive with all sorts of visitors from across the world. The joke was also made inthe
Buhari era that workers in Aso Rock sort for transfers away from there for lack of nothing to “eat.” They said the stinginess of Buhari was so pronounced that they literary begged for food from visitors. But now, Tinubu doles out cash, and there is celebration in homes, offices, and the outposts! Above all, Tinubu listens to complaints. He has set up various commissions and appointed several people into “chopping” positions. Unlike Buhari, his appointments are spread across the tribes—no nepotism! Tinubu is accessible, strong, and very mobile. He is also a crowd puller. He travels with a large contingent of staff and has given everyone a sense of direction. The roads are getting fitted with asphalt and bitumen; fuel queues have disappeared, and airfares have stabilized.
There is less fear in travelling by road because kidnappers have reduced their appearances; bandits are now being chased further into the forest, and Herders-Farmers clashes have reduced, although there are still pockets of militias attacking Benue communities. The CBN has been duly professionalized, with borrowing stabilized. Appointments are made not on tribal considerations. Accessibility to loans is now possible with students getting their fair share. So, it is under these bright achievements that Tinubu has no option but to contest 2027 and complete his tenure. If anything, Nigerians need stability and focus; Nigerians need to embrace modernity and shun primeval considerations. Tinubu has risen above religious and political considerations.
It is instructive to note that Buhari’s eight years in power took Nigeria many years backwards because he refused to embrace global innovations. That was how he kept Nigeria impoverished. With someone like Tinubu, there is a definite plan of action, and they are producing results! Tinubu talks to Nigerians regularly, holds press briefings, and pays surprise visits to States and relevant institutions. Buhari hardly visited, and when he did, it was like god himself coming! So, people like former Kaduna State governor Malam El-Rufai and Atiku, who seek to dethrone Tinubu in 202,7 cannot have any better program than to replenish their pockets! That’s how it works. They are not coming to improve on anything; they are coming because “na my turn”.
For us here, Tinubu must contest in 2027 and complete his tenure by 2031. If Buhari was condoned for 8 years, why not Tinubu? Abuja is now a delight to visit. In those days, prostitutes were chased about, and alcohol sales were banned. Only public toilets were built at the last minute. Was that the original plan? How does that add to growth in the city? Now, the change is evident. Tinubu’s style of administration has paid off handsomely, and such a man is good to hold tight. Tinubu has passed his first term with distinction, and nothing more prevents him from advancing to the next class—and that is the second term.
