By Prince Tony Ogbetere
President Tinubu’s recent victory at the Supreme Court in Nigeria is a significant milestone in his political career. Over the past few months, he has faced numerous legal challenges that aimed to challenge his eligibility to hold the highest office in the country.
These challenges questioned the validity of his election as President and sought to undermine the democratic process. However, President Tinubu’s resilience and the expertise of his legal team have prevailed, resulting in a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court upheld President Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election, dismissing all claims brought against him. The Court’s ruling affirms that President Tinubu was duly elected and possesses the qualifications necessary to hold the position. This verdict reinforces the will of the people as expressed through the electoral process and solidifies President Tinubu’s legitimacy as the country’s leader.
President Tinubu’s victory at the Supreme Court in Nigeria has significant implications for his political future. The decision not only affirms his position as the legitimate leader of the country but also strengthens his position within his political party. With this victory under his belt, President Tinubu has cemented himself as a formidable force in Nigerian politics, potentially paving the way for further advancements in his career.
President Tinubu’s victory also has far-reaching effects on Nigeria’s political landscape. It consolidates the dominance of his political party and creates a potential shift in the power dynamics of the country. With his strengthened position, President Tinubu’s administration is likely to have a significant impact on policy direction and decision-making, shaping the course of Nigeria’s political future.
The Supreme Court decision in favor of President Tinubu could have a ripple effect on other political parties and candidates in Nigeria. Opposition parties may face heightened challenges as they navigate the new political landscape. The ruling not only gives President Tinubu’s party more leverage but also sets a precedent that may affect the strategies and aspirations of other political players.
President Tinubu’s victory opens up possibilities for the shaping of Nigeria’s policy agenda. It paves the way for him to implement his vision for the country and address pressing issues such as economic development, security, and social welfare. Speculation on the specific policies and priorities of the Tinubu administration will be ongoing as Nigerians eagerly await the direction their leader will take.
Assessing the potential impact on key sectors of Nigeria’s governance
The impact of President Tinubu’s victory on key sectors of Nigeria’s governance will depend on the policies and decisions made by his administration. Sectors such as infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and corruption eradication will be closely watched to assess the effectiveness of President Tinubu’s leadership. The success or failure of his governance will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the Nigerian people.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinbu, who won Nigeria’s most contested election since the end of military rule in 1999, succeeded Muhammadu Buhari as the country’s president.
Tinubu, who was once sent into exile by military dictator Sani Abacha, understands the significance of freedom and displays it on his distinctive hat in the shape of a broken shackle that resembles a horizontal figure of eight.
The pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), of which he was a part and its actions, drew the trained accountant into Abacha’s sights.
Before going to college in Chicago and eventually enrolling at the Chicago State University for his undergraduate studies, Tinubu received his education in Ibadan, Nigeria. In 1979, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Before relocating back to Nigeria in 1983, he worked for a variety of accounting firms in the United States. Soon after joining Mobil Oil Nigeria, Bola Tinubu was named the organization’s treasurer.
He entered politics in 1992 through the Social Democratic Party (SDP), running as senator for Lagos West.
After the APC’s creation in 2014, he rose to the position of national leader before the party won the 2015 elections with outgone President Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate.
He is regarded as the political “godfather” and most powerful person in the southwest region, deciding how power is divided among his many followers.
When it appeared like Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambitions were waning during his party’s primary, he reminded Nigerians that it was primarily because of him that President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated after the former military ruler had previously failed to gain the office.
Sequel to that, some of ex-President Buhari’s allies attempted to minimize the former governor’s impact on the 2015 election, but it is improbable that ex-President Buhari would have won both the 2015 and 2019 elections without the assistance of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Tinubu must understand that he has assumed leadership of a country in need of a national rebirth if he wants to improve governance and maintain security in Africa’s most populous country.
Although not insurmountable, the work at hand is onerous.
The current president appears to be aware of this because he said in his acceptance speech: “Whether you are Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, Kwankwasiyya, or have any other political affiliation, you voted for a better, more hopeful nation and I thank you for your participation and dedication to our democracy. To my fellow candidates, former VP Atiku, former governor Kwankwaso, former governor Obi and all others, I extend the hand of friendship. This was a competitive, high-spirited campaign. You have my utmost respect. Political competition must now give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance. During the election, you may have been my opponent but you were never my enemy. In my heart, you are my brothers.”
Regardless of political background, President Tinubu must continue and intensify efforts to better the lives of Nigerians. He needs to be shown to live up to his encouraging victory speech. Anything less would not inspire fresh optimism.
On May 29, Tinubu took office as president of the democracy with the largest population in Africa. One clear index that counts for Tinubu is his strong will and can-do attitude, which he has demonstrated throughout his life in both private and public duty. These characteristics make him unique.
When Lagos State funds were withheld at the time Tinubu was governor, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he used his experience to establish much-needed public institutions that have since been replicated in all of Nigeria’s States.
His ability to rally intelligent men and women of expertise to action as a formidable team to tackle developmental challenges undoubtedly contributed to the delivery of life-changing public infrastructure in Lagos under difficult financial conditions.
During the electioneering campaigns, President Tinubu made a number of bold policy commitments, such as his promise to eliminate oil subsidies and use the money saved on infrastructure and social programs.
Petroleum subsidies have long been a significant component of the Nigerian economy, aimed at ensuring affordable fuel prices and supporting the welfare of citizens. However, the decision to remove these subsidies has far-reaching effects and implications for the Nigerian economy, its citizens, and the overall socio-political landscape. This policy change sent shockwaves through the country, leaving everyone wondering about the potential effects and implications that would follow.
With the removal of petroleum subsidies, the cost of living in Nigeria expectedly rose. Fuel prices increased, and that affected not just transportation costs, but also the prices of goods and services, as transportation costs play a significant role in determining prices.
When fuel prices increase, it creates a domino effect on the overall economy. Inflation rates tend to rise as the cost of production increases, leading to higher prices for goods and services across the board. This can potentially destabilize the economy and make things a bit trickier for everyone.
One of the concerns with subsidy removal is its impact on employment. Certain industries, such as transportation and manufacturing, heavily rely on affordable fuel prices. If these industries struggle due to increased costs, it could lead to layoffs and a rise in unemployment rates. One of the arduous tasks the Tinubu administration currently faces is how to ensure that the job market weathers this storm.
Shed of all embellishments, subsidy removal is a complex matter with arguments on both sides. On one hand, it could reduce the strain on the government’s budget and allow for more targeted spending. On the other hand, it could burden the citizens with higher living costs. It’s a bit like walking on a tightrope, hoping to strike a balance between the two.
The removal of petroleum subsidies could have significant implications for government revenue and budget allocation. With less money going towards subsidies, the government may have more funds available for other areas such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. However, this also relies on efficient budget planning and implementation.
In conclusion, the removal of petroleum subsidies by Tinubu has ignited a debate on its effects and implications for Nigeria. From the increased cost of living to potential job losses and its impact on government revenue, the repercussions are multifaceted. As Nigerians brace themselves for this significant policy change, only time will tell how the story unfolds.
President Tinubu made a solemn promise to increase Nigeria’s gas utilization and monetization by focusing on the African and European markets with his plan to continue developing the essential evacuation infrastructure to these markets. Furthermore, he also promised to increase local gas utilization and monetization overall.
It is a brave policy declaration from Asiwaju Tinubu to say that he will ensure that Nigerians have the energy they need to succeed in their various efforts. And he plans to carry out the significant investment made in enhancing Nigeria’s transmission lines to ensure that all of the electricity currently generated reaches the end users.
The Buhari government carried out numerous transmission parts to various sites across the nation in accordance with the agreement reached with Germany and Siemens to increase the country’s transmission and distribution capacities.
It is exciting to know that Bola Tinubu has committed to keeping up the reforms that are enhancing the power sector. He has pledged that there would be no more estimated billings, which means that Nigerians would only pay for the electricity they use.
Tinubu’s plans to support domestic production of meters, cables, and other essential power delivery components are also significant because they will enable Nigerians to benefit from the opportunities in the power sector and expand both direct and indirect employment opportunities within and outside the sector.
In the Action Plan articulated by the APC and President Bola Tinubu, there will be reforms and established Frameworks for policy to advance the renewable energy sector. According to the action plan, this will be achieved by looking at alternative sources like solar panels to provide electricity to millions of Nigerians who are not connected to the national grid.
Tinubu has also articulated his desire to revitalize the rural electrification initiatives of the Buhari administration. According to his action plan, he intends to achieve this by raising both public and private funding for the provision of power to the rural regions.
Another intrinsic part of Tinubu’s action plan is the desire to reform Nigeria’s financial system, and increase GDP by 10% before the end of 2027, and also reduce unemployment by half in just four years.
In Tinubu’s housing policy, the goal is to encourage consumer and mortgage lending while also promoting homeownership among Nigerians. As a result, the new president has declared that he will take a close look at all of the federal agencies in charge of home ownership and combine them into one organization that is large enough to carry out the mandate to grant low-interest-rate mortgages directly to the people.
Part of the scheme is to put in place a requirement to guarantee and repurchase mortgages. This guarantee to repurchase mortgages will encourage banks to offer mortgages and expand the secondary mortgage market because banks will be more motivated to do so knowing that they can always sell their mortgage portfolio to a capable federal agency that can afford it.
This will enable the banks to issue more mortgages to Nigerians, thereby maintaining the health of the housing mortgage market. And once the appropriate policy framework is offered, there are securitization tools to make this happen.
The widespread belief in Nigeria is that additional Lands Use Act amendments will encourage home ownership in Nigeria. The housing industry will grow faster and more people will own homes, which will result in cheaper costs, thanks to planned reforms in the Tinubu action plan that will rationalize, streamline, and lower the transaction costs of land transfer processes.
To start and implement these reforms, Tinubu has pledged to work with all the State Governments under his control. One of his other action plan is to offer credits and incentives to real estate developers so that they allocate a sizeable portion of their developments to affordable housing, as is done in other regions of the world.
Tinubu has pledged to make it feasible for the most vulnerable members of our society to climb the housing ladder and to get other parts of our federation to support legislation that would make it possible to do away with paying rent in advance on an annual or multi-year basis.
The social correction tool at the heart of Tinubu’s housing and consumer credit and lending reform is based on the conviction that the practice of buying homes and other consumer goods on a cash-and-carry basis feeds the level of corruption that exists in Nigeria and that the country’s propensity for corruption can only be curbed by fostering a sustainable and inclusive mortgage and consumer lending system.
The safety, freedom, and prosperity of all Nigerians will always be among Tinubu’s top concerns, he has made that clear. His dedication in that area seems to be genuine. His dedication could be said to be a result of his prior knowledge. We know that during his time as Lagos’ governor, he used innovative policies and initiatives to quell violent crimes and sanitize the city’s security condition.
There is a compelling need for Nigeria to reinvent her military doctrines and practices using both kinetic and non-kinetic tools to address the country’s security concerns, and Tinubu has committed to make quite significant changes to Nigeria’s security architecture.
The first is a strategy to strengthen Nigerian security forces that will consider the ratio of security and law enforcement officers to the population.
In this writer’s opinion, there are not as many military personnel as there are people in our country. It is drastically below the acceptable level around the world, and by hiring more people and improving their benefits and pay, we can not only close the gap but also create additional jobs.
The Tinubu action plan has identified three options to handle the security issues in Nigeria.
First, the Great Green Wall of the North will be finished, according to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in order to lessen the consequences of desertification and deforestation, which exacerbate economic migration and cause instability. The Great Green Wall of Nigeria is a component of a larger African Union-led program to increase food security in the Sahara and Sahel and address issues including desertification and land degradation.
And under the initiative in Nigeria, the focus will be on states like Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara, comprising about 35% of Nigeria’s total land area, with implications for over 50 million people to start developing resilient and adaptation measures, promote sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities and restore over 22,500 sq km of degraded land for agricultural purposes.
These programs will boost the local economy, provide employment prospects, and ultimately help to lessen insecurity there.
Tinubu’s second proposal in his manifesto is to improve the capabilities of Nigerian immigration services to patrol and watch over the country’s borders by employing mobile patrol units, ground-based technology, and aerial and ground-based technology.
Most importantly, is his determination to step up as a regional leader and increase the kind of productive international cooperation with important neighboring nations that will guarantee that the kinds of internal conflicts in those nations that frequently spill over and jeopardize Nigeria’s national security are kept to a minimum.
Bola Tinubu also advocates for taking action against the unauthorized and unreported exploration of mineral resources. There’s no gainsaying that these illicit activities encourage conflict and unrest when non-state entities attempt to seize control of mineral riches through force.
The administration of Bola Tinubu intends to establish a far more controlled framework for mining natural resources, collaborating with regional artisans and craftsmen to help them learn new skills and make money.
Solid minerals will be much more strictly regulated, which will lead to additional employment opportunities for locals.
Despite the difficult means by which he won, the President Tinubu came to the Aso Rock Villa with a solid record as a governor, party builder, and political operative. This would enhance hopes for Nigeria’s future under his leadership among both Nigerians and others outside of the nation.
The prospects for President Tinubu’s future leadership depend on his ability to address the challenges faced by his administration effectively. By focusing on inclusive development, strengthening institutions, and promoting good governance, President Tinubu has the opportunity to further drive progress and leave a lasting positive impact on Nigeria.
~Prince Tony Ogbetere writes from Lagos Nigeria
