BY OTUNBA AMID ADEKUNLE. FNES
Chief Obafemi Awolowo; the sage of Yorubaland, tried valiantly for the presidency of Nigeria unsuccessfully. Yet, the whole of Nigeria knew, that by the reality of the giant strides made by the Western Region, then under his able stewardship; Awolowo’s visionary leadership could have transformed the socio- economic landscape of Nigeria positively, and permanently.
Instead, his leadership ambition was thwarted by trumped-up charges of treason, imprisoned, and later discharged and pardoned. In recognition of Awo’s knowledge of the political economy of Nigeria, Gowon (who released & pardoned him): made Awo the Vice Chairman of his Executive Council, and Minister of Finance. A role he discharged astoundingly creditably.
Awo’s subsequent foray into politics with the advent of a fresh atmosphere of political activity in Nigeria was met with the infamous 1979 “12 two-third electoral mathematics debacle. On the morning of September 26, 1979, the attention of most Nigerians was on the Supreme Court as they waited anxiously for its verdict on the post-election litigation between Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
The famous Ibadan lawyer, Richard Akinjide, who was Shagari’s counsel argued before the Supreme Court justices and convinced them that the two-thirds of 19 states (the total number of states in Nigeria at that time) was ”12 two-thirds”, and not 13. The Supreme Court upheld his argument and ruled in favour of Shagari. The late sage contested again in 1983 and lost to the incumbent Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
He did not try again until his death in 1987…But, his legacy endures till today. Odua Investment Company: a holding company for a constellation of high performing blue chip industrial entities (covering all areas from agriculture, to banking, manufacturing, & real estates etc, are all the brainchild of the visionary “Awo”. As a matter of fact, Odumegwu Ojukwu was credited to have proclaimed Awo as the best president that Nigeria never had upon his death.
Then came Chief MKO Abiola, the philanthropic Yoruba son, an international and pan-Nigeria business magnate who veered into politics. In 1993, Abiola contested for the presidency and won what is still generally regarded as the freest and fairest electoral mandate in Nigerian political history. That was an election that in spite of its Muslim/ Muslim presentation, was devoid of any religious, or tribal sentiments. That fundamental political move away from the past was painfully aborted. Abiola’s victory was fraudulently aborted by a military cabal thus setting Nigeria’s democratic journey backwards by decades. Abiola was martyred trying to reclaim his stolen mandate.
The Yorubas have made enormous sacrifices in the socio-economic and political journey of Nigeria. They never stopped trying because they know the difference between governance where people matter, and governance for its own sake. It was thus inevitable that a Nigerian of Yoruba extraction would invariably emerge who would offer a meaningful, and heartfelt leadership to the Nigerian people. Thus, enter Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu: a politically astute strategist and former governor of Lagos State. He famously declared ” Emi l’okan”( it is my turn), and he meant it. He had promised the late Muhammadu Buhari a presidential turn, and he delivered under the platform of the APC; a political party that formed consequent upon a coalition of like-minded progressive elements. By the exit of Buhari, people were routing for the Jagaban, especially for a desire to see his Lagos miracle as governor repeated at the federal, national level. He took up the challenge and here where we are; the eve of the glorious dawn when Nigeria shall forever find its right level because the proper economic pillars for posterity would have been solidly laid by none other than a man who fits times like this.
Tinubu is a man for times like this. Ever a pace setter, he created 37 additional Local Council Development Areas when he was governor of Lagos State because he believed that local governments should be created to take care of people , not local governments for their own sake. At that time the Lagos Metroplitan Area alone had a population in excess of 16 million. Now, approximately 17.2 and the State hovering between 23 and 29 million. Other states of Nigeria have followed his example for their different reasons. Asiwaju believes in fiscal federalism. He insists that derivation should have a certain influence in the way resources contributed to the federation account are distributed.
Tinubu’s bold macroeconomic reforms, though, are gradually reshaping Nigeria’s economic trajectory. From his inauguration podium in 2023, BAT announced that the fuel subsidy regime was being jettisoned because fuel subsidy had been a fraudulent mechanism for defrauding the Nigerian State for decades by a faceless cabal who continue to suck the Nigeria’s blood like leaches at the expense of the masses. He liberalised the exchange rate mechanism for the national currency(N) so its realistic value can be established based on the country’s productivity. This is one of the fundamental basis for defining national economic freedom. By so doing, he sidelined middle men & round trippers who had made roundtripping the mainstay of their economic lives.
Beyond Economics, Tibubu recently demonstrated a strong sense of justice with the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology at Koronma, Sapemma; Ogoni, Rivers State. as a kind of posthumous statement in honour of Kenule Saro- Wiwa: a prominent Ogoni son who was martyred in the process of seeking environmental justice for Ogoniland. He went further to appoint seasoned environmental professionals as Council members for the University, recognising the importance of expertise in such a critical sector.
Tinubu scans his Nigerian universe and picks technocrats into his team to help deliver his strategic vision for the country. His cabinet is made up of technocrats of distinction in all departments from Central Banking to Internal Affairs, Tax administration to Finance & Education etc, etc to name but a few.
For example, he nominated my humble self : Prince Amid Adekunle fnes, to be a member of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Environment and Technology Koroma/Sapenwa, Ogoniland; representing the South West geopolitical zone because he is aware of my vast knowledge, competence, and experience in the area of environmental protection, and pursuit of environmental excellence garnered over decades in the Nigerian oil industry. These actions reinforce my deep respect for Asiwaju BAT as a leader who values capacity and experience. And, by His special grace, we shall make the Federal University of Environment & Technology the regional hub for environmental information and expertise in Africa.
In light of the challenges facing Nigeria, it is essential for the masses to exercise patience with Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he embarks on his transformative journey for the nation. His bold reforms and strategic vision, rooted in a deep understanding of the country’s socio-economic landscape, are designed to address long-standing issues and propel Nigeria toward progress. While the path may be fraught with difficulties, Tinubu’s commitment to fostering a more equitable and prosperous society reflects his determination to fulfil the aspirations of the Nigerian people. Ultimately, with perseverance and support from the populace, Tinubu is poised to lead Nigeria to the next level of development and stability.
Otunba Amid Adekunle writes from Lagos. He is an astute and visionary leader and very influential politician in Lagos State. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Wordsworth Environ Limited (an environmental consulting company)
See also:
Tinubu Plays North-Central Card, Picks Amupitan as INEC Boss
Justice After Death: Tinubu Grants Posthumous Pardon to Macaulay, Vatsa, Ogoni Heroes
Bandits Overrun Kwara South Forests — Senate Demands Swift Military Action
APC Mocks ADC: ‘You Can’t Win a Polling Unit, Let Alone the Presidency’
