Before the 2023 presidential election, there was a popular Yoruba phrase, Emi lokan, which translates to “It’s my turn” in English. It was a revolutionary cliché anchored on President Bola Tinubu’s campaign in seeking the highest job in the land. The phrase became so rampant that it was on the lips of nearly every adult Nigerian. However, it angered some Nigerians who disliked the claim and the audacity behind it. The question was: when did the nation’s presidency become a “turn-by-turn” thing? Better still, who promised him?
But Tinubu didn’t bother. The sentiment of it being his turn gathered momentum. It was so strong and palpable that it generated a lot of traction, shaping the political and electioneering events in the build-up to the polls. It eventually culminated in reality, as he won not just the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary but also the main election and was thereafter sworn in as Nigeria’s fifth president since the return to democracy in 1999.
Tinubu’s ascendancy to Aso Rock was a time-tested outing filled with resilience, determination, and doggedness. He was not only pragmatic but very focused, as he literally set his eyes on the ball. For a man whose lifelong ambition was to, by every democratic means, bear the name Mr. President, he started early to lay the foundation. He became governor of Lagos State for eight years under the Alliance for Democracy (AD). The party, courtesy of Tinubu, maintained a stronghold in the Southwest. He was the rallying figure among his colleague governors in that region. Even without his party occupying the center, Tinubu was undeterred.
After his tenure as governor, Tinubu, with the resources he had amassed, unarguably built one of the largest political empires in the history of Nigeria. He ensured that, as he exited the Lagos seat of power, he had as a successor a trusted ally who would hold sway at the home front while he went about expanding his structure. He knew, as a matter of fact, that if he was to realize his presidential ambition, he needed the right network and net worth.
Nicknamed Jagaban by his friends and political associates, Tinubu worked harder to install governors in other states and had them commit to his presidential dream. He then started working on the path to have his own men at the center. This was the main phase of entering the lane to Aso Rock. He formed a coalition with other politicians of like minds who were ready for change and to take over power from the dominant PDP, which had had a firm grip on the presidency.
The moment came in 2015, and the role he played in ousting Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from office is an open secret. He mobilized men and resources to achieve that. Sticking to his original plan, Tinubu did not challenge Muhammadu Buhari. Rather, he gave him all the needed support to return for another term. The thinking was that after the exit of Buhari, it would be much easier to convince the North to give up power to the South, and truly, that worked, thus earning him the appellation of a kingmaker and godfather.
One interesting thing about his emergence was how he broke barriers and challenged the old order. For the first time, we have a joint presidency comprised of two Muslims. Despite the unfavorable odds and widespread resentment, he picked Ibrahim Shettima, a core Muslim like himself, as his vice. Not even the rejection by the large Christian community in the country changed his mind.
Tinubu is an enigma with an unrelenting spirit, audacity, and sagacity. His boldness, organizational acumen, bravery, and great determination to succeed, even in the face of daunting challenges, are unparalleled. In addition, his risk-taking ability, ideas, strategic thinking, focus, and foresight need to be studied. It is a research project that political scientists should embark on.
As of today, only a few governors of his 1999–2007 set are still relevant. For some of them, their relevance can be traced to his benevolence. He values friendship and is always eager to care for his friends. His stronghold over Lagos for more than two decades is an indication of his political prowess and exemplary lifestyle, maintaining those around him in order for them to always do his bidding. Truly, he has built men, from governors, ministers, and parliamentarians to a host of others.
As Nigeria’s leader, the Lion of Bourdillon has faced stiff opposition and criticism over his handling of the nation’s economy. The sudden removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira brought pain and economic hardship to many Nigerians. There are those who also believe that, in almost two years, there are really no tangible accomplishments to credit to his government.
The issues of power, insecurity, poor infrastructure, and corruption still plague the country, making a mess of the Renewed Hope he promised during his campaigns.
It is on the basis of the current woes faced by Nigerians that his re-election in 2027 hangs in the balance. His opponents are meeting and trying to form a major coalition to remove him from office, but they need to work ten times harder if they hope to succeed. Tinubu has his eyes and ears everywhere, even in the camp of his political enemies. That is one edge he has over others.
Political battles do not scare him. If he could make his wife a Senator without breaking a sweat, he can make his son, Seyi, the governor of Lagos State, not to mention getting re-elected. He has his ways, and as a master strategist, he is capable of achieving that. But it will be easier for him if he doubles his efforts to make the average Nigerian live a better life before the next electoral cycle commences.
