Nigeria we hail thee!

To best serve its people and country should be the utmost of every public official.

ThinkTalk

A new president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was sworn-in in Nigeria today amidst much controversies. I don’t know if congratulations are in order for him, but I noticed the Nigerian currency, Naira, rose today by N20 relative to the $Dollar. This might not be unconnected with the new President’s announcement to scrap the country’s oil subsidies. Or it may be that the global community supports him and feel that there’s new hope for Nigeria? I don’t know if there’s any correlation, but I do hope that it is a good sign for better governance to come.

The Man, Tinubu

The 71-year old Tinubu becomes the “fifth president since the return of democracy in 1999” (Al Jaazera) and the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was the Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria, from 1999 to 2007, and served a year as a Lagos State Senator.

However, Tinubu had been routed in the media for his infamous statement “emi lo kan” which literally means that “it is my turn.” Did I hear you ask “It is your turn for what?” I’m glad you did. I have now learned that most political positions in the father- (or is’t mother-) land follow not the rule of democracy, but are actually on an assigned rotational entitlement basis. I also learned that other positions such as traditional and academia positions follow such basis as well.

Thus Tinubu’s infamous statement portends to the “assigned rotational basis” as his entitlement to be next in succession to the presidency of Nigeria. This is irrespective of the people’s wishes; in essence, democracy is invalidated and every Nigerian voter is made a fool of. It also makes an economic wastage of the billions of Naira spent on the election which creates a spillover effect on the citizens. Why spend so much money and waste people’s time if it had been pre-commissioned to hand the position to a specific person?

Nigeria, The Constitution, Presidential Election, and which way forward

Anywho, according to various reports, “the Nigerian Constitution requires a candidate to win both the highest number of votes overall and not less than one-quarter of the votes in each of at least two-thirds of the country’s 36 states and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.” It has been alleged that Tinubu did not win according to the Constitution. But still he went on to be inaugurated. I’m not an attorney and cannot speak on the legitimacy of the inauguration. But with all that I have heard of the new President and, sadly his wife, they’re allegedly brutal to anyone who speaks against them or tries to stop them. Not that I’m judging them, for if the “rumors” are valid, they could have turned over a new leaf, realized their follies, and decided to do good and/or better. Time will tell. Moving on …

The Presidential Election was held in February 2023 and it was allegedly rigged and votes were bamboozled according to various reports. It was an overt corruption of democracy to say the least. The case has gone to court and proceedings begin tomorrow. Yet, Tinubu was inaugurated today in Nigeria.

When we talk of corruption, lawlessness, and lack of accountability, Nigerian government ranks highest.

Overt corruption anywhere is a slap on democracy and a gross mockery in global quarters everywhere.

This blog is however not about Nigeria’s corruption, but a plea to the new President for change. Overt corruption anywhere is a slap on democracy and a gross mockery in global quarters everywhere. Do we please the global partners to the ridicule of our primary responsibilities at home to our citizens? God forbid. But such has been the Nigerian government’s over past decades. Which way Nigeria now?

Talking a little about corruption, I remember the “War against Indiscipline (WAI)” during the Idiagbon era. Tunde Idiagbon was the Chief of Staff in the mid-80s when Mohammed Buhari, the now former President, was the military Head of State. WAI waged war against overt corruption of public officials, among other things, including littering in public. Every first Saturday of the month was a mandatory Environmental Day used to clean the neighborhoods. The streets were empty on such Saturdays. Anyone caught driving or roaming around during the Environmental Day hours was in trouble. Those were good days when corruption was minimized, citizens were orderly, and Nigerian streets were clean. Am I saying that the government then was perfect. Certainly not. But there was order and one could speak up freely against any corrupt official. Unfortunately, it was short-lived for other reasons.

Overt corruption, lawlessness, and a lack of accountability in Nigeria’s legislature, executive, and judiciary systems top the country’s ails. If judgment will begin, let it begin with Mr. Tinubu’s executive arm. I once saw Tinubu amidst his party (don’t know if he ran on the same party platform) waving a broom as a party symbol. Mr. Tinubu, I beg you by the mercy of God to now use those brooms to sweep and make clean Nigeria.

Though I am yet to read Tinubu’s manifesto, I pray/plea for better (change) in all areas: economic, financial, social wellbeing of Nigerians

• Let Tinubu’s primary responsibility be the citizens both at home and abroad. Fight, defend, speak up, and support their wellbeing. Citizens from countries that place their citizens first are generally better and respected globally,
• Create jobs and/or promote and support citizens’ economic development,
• Provide security and constant electricity in Nigeria. It’s a mockery that Nigeria supplies constant energy to its neighboring countries yet lacks such at home. Charity must begin at home,
• Institute freedom of speech and expression without fear or intimidation
• Reduce Nigeria’s senseless debts. As of September 2022, Nigeria’s foreign debt stood at N44 trillion ($98 billion). This could hit N77 trillion ($172 billion) if “a loan-to-bond swap and new borrowings” are approved. God help Nigeria’s next generation.

For a country that produces oil and where everything, including homes, are on cash basis, I wonder what the composition of Nigeria’s debt is. Could it be that the debt is lying in a few private accounts? 🤔 As a comparison to America, a nation that thrives on credit, $24.5 trillion of US’s foreign debt of $31 trillion is owed by the public. Let’s ponder on that for a moment.

This is however not an economic or finance blog or paper. Moving on …

• Finally, I pray that fundamental infrastructure be built, especially returning to providing sound education that is comparable, if not exceeding, those of its international partners. Nigeria had this before. How about modern hospitals - not one meant only for the Presidents and government officials, but one that the average citizen can walk into and be rest-assured to receive treatment. Or drinkable water and hopefully, Tinubu will complete “the light rail project” he started twenty years ago.

If the above can be done during your tenure, now-President Tinubu, you can indeed make Nigeria great again and be “elected” for a second term.

Final thoughts

Even if Tinubu hits the ground running, he will never sprint to complete the above within the four-year term. However, and if the Supreme Court upholds his presidency, he can initiate the necessary reforms that will move Nigeria towards economic efficiency and making Nigeria and Nigerians great again. Nigerians are tired of public officials’ lack of conscience and integrity who use public positions as an opportunity to enrich their pockets, bank accounts, their children and families while ignoring the welfare of its primary responsibility, its citizens. Being in government is foremost a service to the people and for the love of the country to make a difference. Nigerians and the global community are looking forward to seeing the difference Nigeria’s new President will make. May God help him and Nigeria.