The political atmosphere of Nigerian politics has been thrown into — a subjective element sequel to the recent declaration of the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the former governor of Lagos State Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu of his intent to contest the Presidential Election cum 2023.
With his declaration, an air of enthusiasm has been blown by his supporters who have been championing a political expedition for the former governor all over the country, while his adversaries have dismissed Tinubu’s desire to run on the basis of pure political vindictiveness.
Many have referred to Tinubu as — the embodiment of progressive politics, a political giant — who has made his mark in modern politics via hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and his unwavering commitment to a better Nigeria.
His political inventiveness and stewardship have earned him the titles of Asiwaju of Lagos (First Man in Lagos) and Jagaban of the Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, while the masses have dubbed him the political Jagaban of Africa, —a moniker that has been synonymous with the Nigerian political gladiator for many years.
Mastery of the intricacies of a modern economy demonstrated leadership abilities and competency, and, most importantly, sensitivity to the complexity of Nigerian society is at the top of many Nigerians’ expectations for their next president.
The mischievous fascination with Tinubu’s age, source of wealth, and conclusion that he’s physically—unfit for the role of a president — that has followed him since his presidential bid took the top rank in the country is not a never witnessed event in the Nigeria political scene.
Even the incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari, has been accused — on several occasions in an attempt to deter the general populace from voting for him.
With a year and a month to go until Nigerians make wild decisions on who should govern them for the next four years, Forsige Politics conducts a qualitative assessment of whether — Tinubu’s political persistence is what Nigerians require in a president, emphasizing some of his potentials.
Bola Tinubu: The Uprising
Tinubu has been a prominent political player in contemporary Nigerian politics; he was the driving force behind the APC’s win over the reigning PDP — under former President Goodluck Jonathan, which ushered in the election of Rtd Gen Muhammad Buhari as president in 2015.
Tinubu’s political career dates back to 1992 when he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the military government, and he rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Senate to represent Lagos State before the military regime brought democracy to an end in 1993.
Tinubu was a pioneer of pro-democracy activities that sought and declared an end to military rule. He left the country when the pro-democratic movement was persecuted by then-military President General Sani Abacha.
When General Abacha died in 1998, Tinubu returned to Nigeria and began his pro-democracy political crusade. In 1999, he was given the mandate to run for Governor of Lagos State under the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), and he won the election.
Tinubu’s strong political convictions made him the only Governor in the Southwest in 2003 who was not a member of the ruling PDP. He fought then — President Olusegun Obasanjo over the necessity to create a Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to feed Lagos state’s rising population, which he eventually won in court.
This action caused President Obasanjo to suspend allocating funds to Lagos state, which was later reversed by the ex-president Umar Musa Yaradua.
Tinubu’s political clout hasn’t wavered since he left power in 2007. He oversaw the affairs of Lagos by proxy, making it the fastest economic hub in West Africa.
He challenged the ruling party at the state and federal levels, earning him a monument and allowing him to expand his political horizons to other Southwest neighboring states.
Tinubu was a driving force behind the founding of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which brought them to power by deposing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Many politicians, intelligentsia, and the general public have dubbed Tinubu a political genius across the country. When it comes to the impact of the Jagaban on Nigerian politics, It exists as a political schemer in Tinubu’s life — uncontested!
At present. Even when he holds no political authority, his influence in Nigerian politics is unprecedented and a threat to opponents.
His very presence is enough to win over any opponents, and his political clout is something that should not be underestimated.
The Political Schemer And A Technocrat
Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.
Jack Welch
Tinubu’s political magnanimity — shows him to be a man who sees and produces the best men in Nigeria’s political arena. Tinubu is not a mediocre leader; he is a man who takes the most qualified candidate to the forefront of Nigerian politics.
What distinguishes Tinubu from other politicians is his great insight into forming a group chat of technocrats with the collective knowledge that the country’s future rests on the choice of a deep visioned uniting leader with a track record of outstanding leadership.
Great minds and leaders have been borne out of the conducive political affiliate reserved by Jagaban, who has dominated and is influential in the arena of modern Nigeria Politics.
Building The Economy That Works
Tinubu has been a wellspring of epistemic economic endowment, well—versed in technological knowledge, modern infrastructure development, and modern economic principles.
Tinubu was touted as the founder of the present Lagos State’s economic foundations, at a period when he was the governor of Lagos and the state was denied allocation by the federal government.
His political trajectory is not only appealing but — his economic vigor has been a test of his endowed vision to lead, which attest to his powers of economic ideas, which flipped Lagos state’s success and maintained its autonomous supremacy as Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest economy.
His desire for development had attracted a large number of foreign investors to Lagos, which had a bigger impact on the city’s development as one of the world’s most modern and urban infrastructure habitats.
The Sacrifice: Reaping What Is Sowed
The path that led to Jagaban’s presidential ambition did not begin with a rallying cry from the people.
Many have placed a heavy burden of expectation on Tinubu, which has been bolstered by his jingoist temperament in his quest to make history.
His proclivity for self-sacrifice in the past with his pro-democratic stance has been well documented.
Tinubu, who’s been stressed by the military era’s uncertainties, played a crucial part in the campaign for democratic return, both physically and financially, by providing a safe haven for fleeing pro-democracy comrades fleeing the khaki men’s oppression.
Tinubu, who is unafraid of any political connection, has maintained his political devotion to his party, even after his political ally was bought by the ruling PDP.
His stance on keeping Nigeria’s democracy flexible rather than condemning it to one-party rule caused him to be shunned by the federal establishment.
Tinubu took the bull by the horns to develop a formidable political opposition to the incumbent party in the early 2000s, while his political peers were carpet flipping and defecting by abandoning their party loyalties.
Despite being the target of political witch-hunts, he remained independent and surreptitiously expanded his political organization to other states. With major shifts in political allegiance, Tinubu’s presidential hopefuls have left many people perplexed.
Tinubu’s political choice of candidate was not influenced by ethnic or religious affiliation; twice — before the 2015 election, he endorsed presidential slots to northerners. Maybe, it’s time to reap what he sowed.
Bola Tinubu: Agent of Unification And A Nation Builder
Asiwaju is noted for prioritizing ideals over social—cultural and ethnoreligious affiliations in his political choices.
Without more explanation, Tinubu is an example of a leader who views collaboration as a tool for the greater good.
While most state politics has been blinded by ethnic or religious allegiances, Tinubu embraces all in his candidate selection, bringing in candidates from all over the country into his cabinet, some of whom are currently in the highest political echelon in at both Federal and state arms in different states.
To promote a sense of tranquillity in his camp, he brought the disunited together, provided power to the powerless, and made minorities into leaders of the majority.
His politics are all-encompassing, which is an important tool for a rising country like Nigeria. Tinubu’s impact on Nigeria over the last two decades cannot be overstated; he has earned a place in history as one of the most remarkable leaders in the country’s political evolution, bringing about tremendous democratic transformation.
Tinubu has also been designated as a nation builder, a distinction he has earned for his unwavering commitment to the creation of a contemporary Nigeria. Bola Tinubu has made significant investments in education and had influenced new road development to suit the needs of Lagos’s rapidly rising population.
Tinubu’s astute political maneuverings have not only deterred political crimes against the Yoruba by those who desire to oppress them but have also steered the course of events in Nigeria to achieve what was previously thought impossible.
He led the APC into a historic electoral campaign that resulted in the defeat of the PDP’s Government.
His political antecedents have left a legacy of significant accomplishments in the areas of politics, economics, social welfare, and culture, all of which would be necessary for Nigeria’s future.
He has unmistakable achievements to govern Nigeria in 2023, and his haste has never been a source of mistrust among those who have worked for him, as critics are well aware.
Tinubu’s credentials and track record are not just intriguing; they also demonstrate the attributes that this country requires to — redeem its tremendous potentials and opportunities.
