President-Elect Tinubu and His Triumph Against Uncommon Adversary
For most political leaders in Nigeria, there’s always the urge to cling onto power perpetually. One of the reasons for this noticeable trend is the manner with which many leaders lose public acceptance, goodwill and relevance just months after exiting office.
But the case appears to be very different with Nigeria’s current President Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Sixteen years after he left office as Lagos governor, his last real political post, Tinubu has not only remained relevant politically but has grown in influence, goodwill and public acceptance while many names like Peter Odili, Lucky Igbinedion, Adefarasin, Duke and others who were governors during his days as Lagos mayor have vanished into political oblivion.
True to the tag, Tinubu remains one of the most searched individuals on search engines and the most talked about personality currently in Nigeria.
As a old horse, his emergence as the ruling All Progressive Congress APC flag bearer in a keenly contested primary election against many younger and more recently bubbling leaders like Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi, and others from rival parties including Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku, was a significant testament to his unfading grit, vigour, strength, popularity, and acceptability all over the country.
In fact, from the whole lot he appears to be the one with the highest national appeal and acceptance, with only Alhaji Atiku coming close. Others are, at best, regional, ethnic champions and no starters for a national contest.
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Asiwaju Tinubu who had traveled to London, Paris in France to rest and observe the lesser hajj in Saudi returned weeks before his inauguration on May 29, 2023, to loud applause and jubilation from supporters in their numbers who had gathered to welcome the president-elect amidst deafening screams of ‘Jagaban’, ‘on your mandate’, ‘Mr. President’
The ebullient voices thundered loudly as Tinubu waved in acknowledgment to the rousing welcome at the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe airport, Abuja. It was a beautiful sight that spoke volume about undying acceptability.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state is also well known for his brilliance and uncanny ability to identify talents and potentials, little wonder he had groomed many leaders who have become household names in the nation today. Nobody else has come close to Tinubu’s unbeatable record in this regard.
Names like Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Pedro, Aregbesola, Yayi, Obasa, Fashola and many others were brought to limelight by Mr Tinubu.
But, it has never been a smooth sail for Asiwaju. He’s been the object of massive personal attacks, unusual opposition, media frenzies, and scandals; most criticised and countlessly called names. Yet, he has emerged more loved and acceptable.
Not only did he suffer untold hardship from a fellow Yoruba man and ex President Olusegun Obasanjo who outrageously called for outright cancellation of his electoral victory, but also a diaspora based Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie who seems to be completely out of sync with the reality of the nation and fed to stupor with social media rumours and sensational figment of imagination wrote an open letter to US President Joe Bidentitled, “Nigeria’s Hollow Democracy,” querying America for endorsing and congratulating Tinubu as the winner of Nigeria’s election held in February. But, instead, more world Leaders from Turkey, Ukraine and others have continued to hail Tinubu, promising to work with him. The US has kept a golden silence on Adichie’s letter.
Political opponents have also tried to pull him down, yet Tinubu’s understanding of where he is heading to has put him ahead.
The US, UK, France and the African Union among others have congratulated Nigeria and Nigerians for electing their choice.
From all intent and purpose, Tinubu who could be regarded as Nigeria’s most castigated and insulted president has shown truly that he’s a nationalist and the most acceptable personality across all tribes, religions, and political group across the nation.
As Nigeria and Nigerians await the swearing-in on May 29, Tinubu certainly remains the People’s President.
