The Presidential and National Assembly elections have come and gone. But mixed reactions had trailed the exercise, especially that of the Presidential. Politics as a game does not really favour all those who participated in the elections. All the same, winners must emerge.
History has been made in Nigeria, for the first time the citizens trooped out en masse to exercise their franchise. In previous elections, in some parts of the country some people had to be compelled to vote on Election Day.
This time around, the electorate took the initiative themselves. Apart from that, their votes counted in many states where relatively unknown candidates literally floored state governors and other incumbents that contested the National Assembly election.
In spite of the surprises and upsets recorded, the presidential and National Assembly elections were mired in controversy. Supporters of the major politically parties dissatisfied with the results have questioned the role of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Yakubu Mahmood, in what they describe as “unfair” elections. Their grouse is that the presidential election, in particular, only favoured the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
In all, congratulations to the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory in the election. Felicitations also go to the National Assembly members that scaled through the elections conducted on February 25.
According to INEC, Bola Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat fellow contenders – Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who got 6,984,520, Labour Party flagbearer; Peter Obi had 6,101,533; while the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate; Rabiu Kwankwaso secured 1,496,687 votes. Of course, even before the election, some Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations, had wondered if the President- elect possesses the needed capacity to pilot the affairs of the country. But alas! Listening to Bola Tinubu, one could find out that he is very sound, intellectually. On his health status, the man surely knows himself if he is fit or not.
Tinubu should not fail Nigerians, now that he has been voted into power as President. Not only that, as an ex-Senator, a two-time Governor of Lagos State, among other positions he held in the past, he should be aware of the plight of the people.
The President-elect should bear in mind that he needs to do his possible best to shock over 200 million Nigerians who had concluded in their individual and collective opinions that he has nothing to offer if he is given the mantle of leadership based on his health challenges.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
He should ensure that his campaign promises, which include promises to improve healthcare delivery, digital economy, women empowerment, judicial reformation, true federalism/decentralisation of power, foreign policy, huge investment in sports entertainment and youth empowerment, are kept.
The task before Tinubu as the incoming President of Nigeria is quite enormous. The ball is now in his court to provide the purposeful governance that will yield progressively positive results for all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or tongue. He is expected to concentrate on the areas where President Muhammadu Buhari failed to do well.
More so, Tinubu will do well to assuage the fear among Christians in the country that Nigeria may be Islamised under his administration by reaching out a hand of friendship to the entire Christian community in the country.
Immediately the President-elect is sworn-in, expectations will be high. Nigerians have not forgotten that Buhari promised to tackle corruption, insecurity and rebuild the economy, yet failed to tackle these challenges effectively. The same people, who have suffered untold hardship as a result of the shortcomings of the outgoing government, now pray that the incoming government will be favourably disposed to their yearnings.
However, the presidential candidates of the LP and PDP, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, respectively, are challenging the victory of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in court. This spells more trouble for the ruling APC. But it would be in the best interest of the country if the aggrieved jettisoned their grievances and work with Tinubu to salvage Nigeria.
The future may seem gloomy, but the solution to the myriad of challenges facing the incoming administration lies in Tinubu’s ability to dialogue with the various interest groups, his capability to foster togetherness and reunite the country for progress, peace, unity and prosperity, irrespective of tribe, region and religion.
The outgoing administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was rocked with strong agitation over marginalisation, the continued detention of the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and other issues.
Asiwaju could steal the hearts of the Igbo by ordering the release of Nnamdi Kanu and graciously incorporating the region into the scheme of things through which the rising insecurity in the five states would be curtailed.
He should address the hardship currently experienced by Nigerians as a result of insecurity, rising cost of fuel, galloping inflation, unemployment, irregular power supply, inadequate healthcare delivery, failing economy and endemic corruption, among others. He should work for the stability of the country.
Nigeria is currently bleeding. Her citizens want to be happy again. All the sectors of the economy are decidedly no longer working and should be fixed with immediate effect.
One fact Nigerians should be conscious of is that things can work only if stakeholders should appreciate the incorporation of all and sundry rather than relegating the “assumed few” to the background. A unified Nigeria is possible with Tinubu. Those protesting the emergence of Jagaban as President have no option than to sheath their swords and join forces with him for the sake of the Nigeria of our collective dream.
About the Author
