President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as is to be expected in a democracy, but Nigeria’s first citizen has shown signs that he is ready to put his foot down when it matters.
A presidency which emerged at the end of hotly disputed elections was at pains from the very beginning to stress that it would hit the ground running. It did hit the ground running as an inaugural address served as the final nail in the coffin of the controversial and costly fuel subsidy regime.
There was also a lot to like very early by way of optics. In making his first key appointments, the president gave space not just to women, but also to some of Nigeria’s historically disadvantaged sections. For the first time in a long time, the Southeast got a key security just as someone from Southern Kaduna was strategically named the Chief of Defense Staff.
Many Nigerians welcomed the president’s appointment as a sign that he was prepared to listen to Nigeria’s marginalized.
In choosing some of their own and causing them to fill some of Nigeria’s most sensitive seats, Tinubu chose to tow the path of diplomacy and equity.
In a country where more than three hundred ethnic groups jostle for the few positions available, who gets what was always going to come under scrutiny.
The president has also moved with impressive speed to confront the first corruption saga to rock his administration. The fact that corruption has seemingly come to stay in the country means that throughout his time in office, the president will be forced to confront one of Nigeria’s more stubborn monsters again and again.
The way and manner he has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation pending the outcome of investigation deserves commendation.
The hope Is that this is not just a flash in the pan and that eventually, the president will not just combat corruption, but put in place necessary measures to ensure that Nigeria remains corruption-free.
It is still early days for the Tinubu administration, but in the course of human affairs, the morning very much tells the day.
The president has started off with impressive boldness, and it is hoped that he carries on in this manner.
In a bid to save Nigeria from the government’s regime of waste, and improve the image of his administration, the president has also cut the number of appointees who can make foreign trips with himself or the vice president.
The announcement was met with widespread praise by Nigerians as very early in the life of his administration, the president had come under severe criticism after he took a contingent of more than one thousand appointees to the United Nations General Assembly.
Apparently, there is still a lot of work to be done by the administration to endear itself to Nigerians, many of whom believe the election which produced him was flawed.
At the close of last year, Nigeria was rocked to its core as over two hundred people were killed in terrorist attacks in Plateau State.
It Is also clear that the increased attacks are carefully calibrated to destabilize the new administration.
Nigerians have had a really tough time with insecurity recently and the easiest way to lose public confidence is for a government to appear helpless and clueless in the face of surging insecurity.
But the reforms must not stop in the news, and in public praise. It must be put in action. Nigeria’s current situation does not make for a lot of wiggle room. A country fast running out of time and options needs not just a bold and decisive president, but one who has the presence of mind and the political will to see through his reforms, no matter whose ox is gored.
It Is still early days for the Tinubu administration, but in the course of human affairs, the morning very much tells the day.
The president has started off with impressive boldness, and it is hoped that he carries on in this manner.
Nigerians can only offer him their best support and prayers and hope he succeeds because if he fails to undo the damage done by the disastrous administration of his predecessor, Nigerians would be the worst for it.
Kene Obiezu,
keneobiezu@gmail.com
