A word for Bola Tinubu!

• Published date: 15 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Without being immodest, the structure of political campaigns in Nigeria has shown that Bola Tinubu's dexterity and mastery of the game of politics is actually solid. The organisation of his campaigns, the strategy and the choice of the places he has been going, either for consultations or campaigns; and the responses he has been getting, have all been fantastic. Indeed, these are good signs of a man who actually plans to win.

Except one is also stretching the truth, the followership and the enthusiasm with which Nigerians have been thronging the campaign grounds to welcome the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag-bearer can only be matched with that of MKO Abiola in his days. Yes, the acceptability profile of the Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima presidential ticket is similar to that of the Moshood Abiola/Babagana Kingibe of the 'Hope 93' fame. Needless to repeat that it was also a Muslim/Muslim ticket!

'Politics is a game of numbers.' Therefore, as the campaigns are gradually peaking for the 2023 General Elections, it behoves Tinubu as the candidate to beat on February 25, 2023 to watch whatever he says. Why? The configuration of Nigeria and the structure of the society are such that one cannot open up and tell Nigerians all that one has in his coffers. As we know, some statements will always be (viewed as) controversial and will always divide a contestant's votes. Essentially therefore, certain things must be kept close to one's chest!

In the 2nd Republic, Obafemi Awolow's campaign machinery became decapitated the moment he told the Igbo race that, if he became Nigeria's president, he would not only ban the sale of fairly-used clothes, commonly referred to as 'bend-down-select' but also stock fish (due to its deficiency in nutritional values). At the end of the day, 'Awo', as he was fondly called, had his say but the Igbo voting public had its way! In the North, the feudal lords who are the custodian its values rejected Awo's 'Free Education' offer because it was antithetical to feudalism. Of course, the rest is history! And, as if the gods were angry, Abiola also got into trouble somewhere along his political journey!

For the good or otherwise of the game, it is also important that Tinubu doesn't promise what is not realisable in the shortest possible time. Take it or leave it, the Nigerian society is now anxious; and expectations are high! So, what he must promise must be something that can happen in a few months, to assure Nigerians that he knows...