By: Jamiu Julius ADEBAYO
“We base our struggle on the concrete realities of our country. We appreciate the experiences and achievements of other people and we study them. But revolution or national liberation is like a dress which must fit to each individual’s body. Naturally, there are certain general or universal laws, even scientific laws, for any condition, but the liberation struggle has to be developed according to the specific conditions of each country.” -Amilcar Cabral
On February 25, 2023, Nigerians went to the polls to elect their preferred presidential candidates in the seventh general election since the end of military rule in 1999.
Since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has enjoyed uninterrupted democracy for 24 years, the longest stretch since her independence in 1960.
The election produced Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as Nigeria’s next president, extending the APC’s rule in Africa’s largest democracy.
Asiwaju scored 8,794,726 votes. His closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) scored 6,984,520 votes to emerge second in the election. Labour Party’s Peter Obi got a total of 6,101,533 votes while Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP came fourth with 1,496,687 votes.
The (now) President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu scored a total of 8,794,726 votes, the highest of all the candidates, thus meeting the first constitutional requirement to be declared the winner. He also scored over 25 per cent of the votes cast in 30 states, more than the 24 states constitutionally required.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a true democrat, a quintessential leader and a progressive who has sacrificed for the sustenance of democracy and has displayed a robust understanding of governance.
His victory is a clear testament of renewed hope for Nigerians on all fronts having considered his stunning capacity, competence, leadership credentials and long-standing commitment to a virile democratic society.
“It cannot be overstated that he was born great, then worked hard to achieve more greatness, and ultimately, now have unassailable greatness thrust upon him to have emerged as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a keenly contested presidential election.
Historically and for decades, he’s shown dedication, patriotism, courage, and determination in the cause of nation-building and his sterling contributions to our democracy and its progress are unrivalled. His wealth of experience is hugely critical and needed in repositioning the affairs of our Nation in attaining a more secure and prosperous Country.
During his campaign, Asiwaju Tinubu, met with the business community and organised a town hall meeting with the private sector in Lagos, where he vowed, amongst many other things, to revive Nigeria’s dead industries if elected as president and now that’s emerged President, that will definitely become his topmost priority.
The President will greatly prioritize the security of the country so businesses and the economy, on a larger scale, can thrive and experience exponential growth and prosperity.
On his radar is also promotion of agriculture, provision of power (energy in its various forms), optimising the exchange rate regime that supports parity between the official and parallel (black) market, building infrastructure and production (of essential goods that can be produced locally to promote industrialisation and reduce unemployment rate) using made-in-Nigeria goods.
The business landscape in Nigeria has been struggling with several issues, including the depreciating naira exchange rate, failing power supply, infrastructural decay, multiple taxations and unfavourable government policies (including policy somersaults).
One major issue that businesses encounter is multiple taxations. Whether a transporter, a trader, a business owner, or whatever, businesses end up paying many taxes to different tiers of government.
The multiples taxes are burdensome and detrimental to businesses. The President will reform the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other affiliated agencies to review the tax system. He also intends for some specific businesses to get incentives like tax credits, tax break, rebates and access to loans and finance.
For any business and economy, one of the most important considerations is electricity. This is an issue that has plagued Nigeria for decades. President Tinubu’s government will exert enough energy into solving the power problem, trust me, businesses will thrive better in Nigeria under the leadership of a proven and business-savvy President.
The Health Care sector is another critical sector that will seriously undergo significant transformation into one that is accessible, affordable and that’s capable of delivering quality service to people irrespective of their status and geographical location. He’s pledged he would ensure the proper utilisation of funds meant for the health sector and put in place a fully functional healthcare system in Nigeria.
The President has a track record of monumental achievements in Lagos state while holding sway as her numero uno and the legacies he left behind in the area of healthcare are still reference point till date.
Asiwaju agrees with experts that Nigeria need to use technology to integrate all sources of financing in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the system. He will not only ensure that the health sector budget is increased but also put in place a system that ensures that the funds are put into judicious use.
Mr. President had opined: “It is not only to reverse the medical tourism, but it also is not rocket science. It is just a function of identifying the facilities you have based on what is on the ground and making sure that there is a match between those facilities, your funding and the personnel.
“You are going to witness a lot of innovation, the National Health Insurance Act signed into law by the present administration is part of those things”, he said.
The father of Nigerian modern democracy, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu eventually became the President. In exerting his influence as the country’s no 1 man, he has shown readiness in empowering two very key demographies and living up to his words – the youth demography as well as the women folks. This he displayed recently in his appointment of Special Advisers, some of whom will form his kitchen cabinet eventually. He has hit the ground running, making his words his bond.
The inclusion of Asiwaju in the TIME magazine top 100 most influential figures on the planet is by no means a perfect illustration of what this enigma means to the black race. And it is not outta place to say that a Tinubu presidency is a benison in disguise. Only time will reveal how fortuitous Nigeria and Nigerians are electing the son of Ìyálójà as their sailor to navigate the country through her murky waters of uncertainties.
