By Prof. Ojo Emmanuel ADEMOLA
The euphoria, the frenzies, the anxieties, the doubts, the scepticism; nay the Hope, all mixed concurrently are building up towards the inauguration of the new Government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) on May 29th, 2023. Nigerians (at all levels) and the international communities are feverishly expectant of a smooth transition of Government that follows keenly contested elections lately among parties mostly of All Progressives Congress (APC), People Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) with diverse political ideologies and interests. The tensed polity is justifiably anticipated against the need to deepen Nigeria’s democratic shift with development which started in 1999, and one that has displayed a lot of fledgling characteristics of sustainable governance (system) in the past twenty-four years. And as equally envisaged, the basic traits of developed democracy that allow for the spirit of sportsmanship after an election among the various political tendencies in the Country are yet to be imbibed and entrenched. It’s so much disturbing that more than four weeks after the February 25th Presidential Election, the opposition parties (PDP and LP) are still pained to the marrow, and keep hitting up the polity to the point of threatening destabilisation of the system with a series of Court cases and warmongering. Whereas, the election was a fair contest between the parties of the president-elect who polled above 8.8 Million votes against his closest rivals in PDP with 6.9 Million votes, and LP with 6.1 Million votes respectively. Most of the reports of the local and international observers have lent credence to the credibility of the election exercise, and have affirmed the preference of the majority of Nigerians across the ethnic regions and essentially the six geopolitical zones for the winner, Asiwaju BAT.
On his part, Asiwaju Tinubu has extended the Olive branch (twice) to all stakeholders in the contest, assuming the no-victor, no-vanquished position, and calling for a conciliatory for the fast healing of the polity towards a united and prosperous Nation ahead of May 29. In his latest treaties to the opposition and the stakeholders generally, the president-elect has openly canvassed a national “healing process” engendered by the fallouts of the slur in the election. Passionately, he requested all Nigerians to pray for the Country instead of his usually-centred programme for his 71st birthday.
Specifically, Asiwaju posited so many peace initiatives that will bring about accelerated democratic dividends and service delivery to robustly sweeten the polity by actualising distinctively the Renewed hope agenda. Extensively, he has said: “With the conclusion of the elections at levels, consolidating democratic governance at the sub-national level will bring more development and improved quality of life to the masses. The more we entrench and consolidate the gains of our democratic venture across the length and breadth of our country, the more our people benefit in terms of dividends of democracy and good governance.”
“However, I’m saddened by the reported isolated infractions during the elections and its aftermath in some states. I strongly condemn it. Also, the report of arson after the announcement of governorship resulted in one state that did not represent who we truly are: peace-loving people.
“The physical and verbal assaults committed are unacceptable and antithetical to democratic ethos. Elections should be a celebration of our maturing democracy and freedom of choice and ought not to be moments of grief. I am particularly pained by cases of ethnic slurs, which are capable of creating needless mischaracterisation reported in some locations.”
“My appeal is for us to rise above our differences, which, in reality, are fewer than the valued strings that bind us together as a people irrespective of the circumstances of our births.”
Tinubu said, as former governor of Lagos State, he can attest to the strength in our diversity and togetherness. “As your President-elect, it is that spirit of inclusiveness we engendered in Lagos that I intend to bring into national governance so that together we can attain our full potentials”.
“I will give priority to expanding the civic space and safeguarding citizens’ freedom to exercise their rights within the bounds of the law.
“Indeed, the elections are over. The people have voted to elect their governors and state legislators that will serve them for the next four years. The time for leadership and governance is now upon us.
“In a democracy, the majority would have their way but that majority must not suppress the minority from having their say. As democrats, we have to safeguard free expression. Winners must be magnanimous and those who did not win should have a large heart for tolerance and respect for the greater interest of the nation.
“As the elected, the only way to justify the trust and confidence of the people and the mandate entrusted in us is to commit ourselves to the service of the people. We must all work diligently and sincerely to make life better for the masses. As elected officers, we have no other assignment than to be burden-bearers for the masses and ensure they have a better life than we promised during the campaigns.
“We must take urgent steps to unite the people; those who voted for us and those who did not. We must champion the healing process by embracing the opponents and their supporters. As I have stated previously, the time for politicking is gone. This is time for nation-building, a task beyond one individual or a section of society. We need every hand from wherever it may come to be on deck”.
Conclusively, Asiwaju said: “I am ready to work with you all as your President. I will be a worthy partner you can trust and rely on as we all bond together, in the unity of purpose and renewed hope for the betterment of our blessed country and beloved people.”
In broad perspectives, the messages of the “National Healing Creed” are encapsulated in the 2023 Renewed Hope Manifesto of the President-elect, one that pinpoints the roadmap for the desire to deliver on promises made to the Nigerian people. With the elections over, it’s necessary to recap the salient points in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president-elect with a view to reassuringly Nigerians across boards that the governance template is set to sail.
The centrality of the Agenda stems from the fact that governance is about finding solutions to problems, either by identifying them and addressing them or by making plans to address issues handed down from previous administrations. Under the upcoming administration, Nigerians will be able to identify the qualities that make a competent, tested, and experienced leader, giving them a fundamental understanding of governance. All pioneers should have checkable administration capacities to offer a majority rules system to most Nigerians. In light of the current situation in Nigeria, the argument ought to concentrate thoughtfully on each candidate’s antecedent in terms of their engaging perspective on advancing democratic values for the benefit of Nigeria and their retrospective contribution to this democracy.
The most crucial issue could be a triple-sort one in which, just before the cycle is over, the most successful democrats, generally recognised for their ability to deal with Nigerian interests, have won. Under this leader, Nigeria must reach new economic, technological, and democratic development heights. This democracy has been developing in Nigeria’s current republic since 1990, and the leadership has changed several times during elections. BAT will undoubtedly lead Nigeria with self-assurance and excellence without being hypocritical. We are reminded by the current ‘Renewed Hope’ Manifesto that leaders must be skilled at creating opportunities for all the people and take responsibility for their actions for the nation and its citizens to continue prospering. Essentially, every citizen will add values to this State called Nigeria and collectively we build a Nation of collective winning values. Nigerians will indeed pull out all the stops to make Nigeria a great Nation. We can collectively cultivate our shared values over the decades as a State to bring about a Nation of greatly prosperous shared values.
The comprehensive initiative focuses on properly implementing administration systems to ensure residents’ prosperity and take responsibility. You can affirm without reservation that BAT’s performance as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 was an exceptional governance paradigm of taking responsibility. It was a first-of-its-kind effort to restructure the economy and infrastructure massively. This created enormous long-term opportunities for the state’s development into the developed, thriving state it is today in terms of economic, technological, political, and other infrastructure. In any case, BAT assumed responsibility when the government allotment unexpectedly stopped, and none of his actions resulted in negative consequences, such as lower staff pay rates or no pay at all. Instead of cutting staff hiring and salary payments, BAT implemented a first-rate strategy for positive resource profiling and re-evaluating necessary deliverables for all agencies in Lagos State. Some things of greater value are now available at the Federal level.
Asiwaju made intelligent decisions with his money, investing in a group of talented people by identifying them and positioning them to be incredible leaders who would help the majority of people benefit from democracy. For the APC’s victory in 2015 and subsequent elections, BAT submitted his right and selflessly discovered the experience of bringing progressive ideology to mitigate failure risks. Such political contributions brought about the defeat of the incumbent, and a newly formed party took the country’s leadership for the first time in the history of Nigeria’s democracy; what an achievement! Asiwaju is at it again, pulling out all the stops to make Nigeria a great and respected Nation.
Considering BAT in retrospect, you will soon discover at least five essential characteristics. Asiwaju is a consistent and productive progressive democratic activist, and all will be brought to bear from May 29, 2023. Before 1999 and now, he has always had a disciplined personality. We knew how Asiwaju gave the pro-democracy struggle new life when he took over financing after the cruel annulment of the election on June 12, 1993. You can remember financing of Radio Kudirat was a game-changer that positively redirected the pro-democracy movement’s activities and contributed to the 1999 handover of power to civilians. At the time, NADECO’s activities thrived on his financial power. As an outstanding political activist and leader who values professional selflessness in leadership, BAT took this action. In any case, when vulnerability opposes the legitimate initiative, BAT centres on the timeless qualities for the coming generations to adopt as a consistent worldview.
Asiwaju has been a prominent advocate for fiscal and political reform since the beginning of this democracy. He set up a type of Treasury Single Account in Lagos State before it became a national policy. That is cutting-edge thinking. He talked about the supply and consumption economy rather than the typical supply and demand economy. One uses up the economy, while the other deals with production. He executed the acknowledged economy as a compelling enemy of debasement methodology for straightforwardly archiving each monetary exchange inside the framework. That is the way to move toward national development. BAT had stated repeatedly that if he wins the presidential election, he will commit to doubling Nigeria’s GDP. Now is the opportunity all Nigerians are looking to enjoy such that dividends of democracy can remain a vivid outcome to all.
The nation’s industrial policy will come to life; thanks to this synergy. The BAT’s goal of creating significant and minor industrial hubs in each geopolitical zone is to encourage functional greatness in new regions by making Nigeria a leader in the fourth industrial revolution rather than a bystander. Nigerians shall actively participate in the digital economy. You have such a robust financial connection to the Renewed Hope Manifesto that it makes you think of the qualities you should look for in a presidential candidate before you vote in the 2023 election.
The political idea that Asiwaju had of “Renewed Hope” has the apparent value of creating opportunities for all. By balancing other factors to maximise an individual’s potential to impact the nation’s economic development significantly, the leading global north countries are beginning to achieve equal opportunities. The “Renewed Hope,” an integrated national development framework for creating opportunities, exemplifies BAT’s commitment.
The eight subsystems of the “Renewed Hope” model will be combined in a way that is both effective and efficient, yielding the immense benefits of democracy to everyone. The following will be extensively implemented on a national scale by the model, with significant success in Lagos State. The ‘Renewed Hope’ structures eight firm components on Monetary development and enhancement; Recruiting and developing personnel; Participation in the ICT revolution; legal changes; maximising the utilisation of government resources and preventing leaks; protecting Nigeria and its people from both internal and external aggression; Transformation in agriculture and Nigeria for Nigerians. With Asiwaju’s perspective on “Renewed Hope”, his knowledge of Tigerising Nigeria’s Economy by effectively and efficiently distributing opportunities will speak volumes. His strategy will be similar to the one he used in Lagos. Now as president-elect, when he takes over on May 29, 2023, as the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Renewed Hope agenda will be more effectively and broadly implemented across the whole Country.
In Nigeria’s political history, BAT’s governance unquestionably demonstrates a complete commitment by allocating resources to a positive effort to eradicate inequality by providing additional education to socially excluded individuals. As an example of creating educational opportunities, on February 9, 2000, just one year into his stewardship in Lagos, he presented checks to the officials of assigned banks to pay for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WAEC) for all public-school students in Lagos state. BAT is adept at making governance an appropriate and timely intervention channel. He made many economic and strategic interventions in Lagos State to make robust economic progress, even on personal matters, like paying the WAEC exam fees for all Lagos State public school students. On such a trajectory, Education at all levels in Nigeria will enjoy favoured attention from Tinubu’s presidency.
BAT has a wealth of political experience under his belt, having served as governor of Nigeria’s most important and influential state, a senator, and a champion of democracy. He is an expert in digital leadership in a volatile environment. The theme-based leadership style of Asiwaju will continue to prevail in Nigeria’s quest to create opportunities for all and accelerate its economic, technological, and democratic development.
BAT shall implement an exemplary Nigeria strategy review, make sense of the turbulent digital environment, and eliminate the legacy structures and management approaches that stifle innovation and break free from previous cultural norms. BAT will unleash the creative potential of its employees and team members with high performance; Reimagine leadership for a great Nigeria by taking advantage of the full potential of established and emerging technologies.
Conclusively, it is safe to affirm that BAT’s presidency will guarantee renewed hope, security, and a prosperous nation through the Renewed Hope Manifesto to improve the fortune of Nigerians and make Nigeria a developed country. BAT’s intention for Nigerians is an extraordinary blessing from above, for him to use his extensive, enviable, and illustrious leadership abilities. Surely, we are entering the era of amalgamated renewed hope, and it’s in the interest of all stakeholders, oppositions, and the elected and unelected to allow peace to reign in the land.
Prof. Ojo Emmanuel Ademola is a distinguished political analyst and a global Cyber Security technocrat
