Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu: His turn to be the Jagaban of Nigeria?

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as the winner of the APC presidential primary election with a landslide victory over Rotimi Amaechi and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

A victory statement that further consolidates his reputation as a political juggernaut in Nigeria, a resounding victory felt even by the opposition parties.

With the possibility of Tinubu emerging as the number 1 citizen of Nigeria, let’s have a quick overview of Tinubu’s manifesto titled, ‘My Vision for Nigeria’ and what it could mean for Nigerians if elected:

Education:

As a two termed governor of Lagos State, Tinubu invested heavily in Education and has promised to do so as a president by “allocating 25% of the nation’s budget to Education”

On ASUU strike

My administration will eradicate strikes by encouraging institutions to source funds through grants and corporate sponsorships, with all the institutions granted financial autonomy.

Judging by the present gap between corporate entities and our tertiary institutions, institutions will have to turn to their students for funds. This ultimately will lead to increments in tuition fees in our tertiary institutions.

Is this a price worth paying for good and uninterrupted academia?

Security:

He promised to improve security by decentralizing policing.

There have been calls for state policing as the solution to our problems of insecurity, whether by decentralization he means regional policing or state policing, I can not say.

Economy and Job creation:

My administration will build an efficient, fast-growing, and well-diversified emerging economy with a real GDP growth averaging 12% annually for the next four years, translating into millions of new jobs during this period. I will focus on stimulating jobs, which will be my top priority as president. I will get Nigeria to work by launching a major public works program, a significant and heavy investment in infrastructure, and value-adding manufacturing and agriculture.

Power:

My administration’s critical goal is to have 15,000MW distributable to all categories of consumers nationwide to ensure 24/7 supply within the next four years

Infrastructure:

My administration will Build A New Nigeria (BANN) by developing a national infrastructure plan, which will cover strategic roads, bridges, rail, water, power, seaports, and airports spanning the length and breadth of the country.

Truth is that we’ve seen/heard these promises before, something that seems to have been copied from President Buhari’s playbook but here we are.

What bothers most young Nigerians though are the issues of Godfatherism and Hooliganism surrounding Tinubu.

Godfatherism and Hooliganism

Tinubu has been widely perceived as a political godfather with his overbearing attitude towards his successors in Lagos State, the most recent scuffle being between him and Gov. Ambode who was reportedly thrown out of office by him.

A perception reinforced by his recent emi lokan outburst in Abeokuta:

“If not for me talking to you today, Buhari would not have been president. It is over 25 years that I have been serving them. This one sitting behind me, Dapo Abiodun, could not become the governor without me. Buhari called me to be his vice president […] Nigerians won’t vote for him, but you, Bola Tinubu, you have six governors, you have never lost an election before, come and be my vice”

2015 documentary, Lion of Bourdillion, exposed Tinubu’s role in pulling the strings of the mega city-state, Lagos, highlighting his political and financial grip on Lagos State. He’s also been widely accused of disrupting electoral processes with political thugs.

As president, we might see him impose his candidates on us, disregarding people’s wishes by use of power and intimidation.

Overall, Tinubu promised a Nigeria that is

A vibrant and thriving democracy and a prosperous nation with a fast-growing industrial base, capable of producing the most basic needs of the people and exporting to other countries of the world.

If he eventually becomes the president, we can only hope he stays true to his words.