President Tinubu as an Empire Builder 

Mariam Mohammed

Dear President Bola Tinubu, you have demonstrated that a kingmaker can become a king, not through unpopular means, but by the people’s imprimatur. Against the run of play, apologies to Olusegun Adeniyi, you waltzed your way through the political landmines and today, sit as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As a true master of the political craft and husbandman power, you never hid your desire that the Presidency was your compelling ambition. As children are we not thought to dream beyond the skies and aim for the stars and if we can’t reach it we could fall on the moon?

It is instructive for all to glean lessons of your ascension – steadfastness, focus and determination. To imbibe the industry and investment you ploughed into becoming Nigeria’s No. 1 Citizen. Evidently, one’s manifest destiny cannot be stopped though it could possibly be delayed, but it surely comes to pass.

Your being here to direct the affairs of this potential-rich country in the next four years is not a happenstance. You gave your all. Little wonder you are an Empire Builder; builder of men. Across the length and breadth of this vast country, Nigeria, your footprints of those you have aided up the ladder are innumerable. From councillors to local government chairmen, state and federal lawmakers, governors and deputies, ministers and top bureaucrats, and across many other endeavours. All of these you did out the well of your immeasurable goodness. It didn’t matter if some became like the proverbial Prodigal Son, you never abandoned any.

My President, empire builders throughout history are known to be courageous, visionary, balanced in thought and empathy. Your inauguration speech was not just captivating in its lyricism but the renewed hope it inspires. And your ambitious declaration that fuel subsidy is gone caught not a few Nigerians by surprise. I was pleasantly surprised and befuddled all at once. It is an open secret that the fuel subsidy regime has been fraught with corruption and sharp practices, but to with such fiat declare it removed; ended, remains an upper cut to millions of Nigerians who are still grappling with inflation and poverty.

As the Chief Helmsman of our country, there is little you are not privy to. You have the statistics on the poverty index, declining life expectancy and tenuous security. The astronomical rise in the pump price of fuel at such a delicate time is telling. I am thankful that you have met with the security chiefs and given them the marching orders to address issues on insecurity and a defined chain of command, but social cohesion is often than not anchored on economic viability and prosperity. It is in this wise you may wish to find a meeting point with labour and other concerned stakeholders on the fuel subsidy regime. And this you are finding as the proposed strike was shelved and modalities for palliatives on the way to cushion the fallouts of the fuel subsidy removal.

Nigerians will be more welcoming of an audit of the petroleum sector which has largely being opaque and steeped in corruption and sharp practices.

The Jagaban himself, you are not simply an empire builder, but a conqueror. In times past you could, perhaps, have been Mansa Musa, the 14th century emperor of the Mali Empire whose reign ensured decades of peace and prosperity in the country and beyond.

History has it that Mansa Musa was knowledgeable and was the first Muslim ruler in West Africa to make the nearly four thousand mile journey to Mecca with an entourage of thousands of escorts. What similarities are there? Sir, you are imbued with wisdom – formal and informal -, a political strategist par excellence; the one whose traducers acknowledge as the ultimate grand master of political craft. You defied the odds, like the Malian emperor and conqueror when you settled for a Muslim-Muslim ticket to demonstrate that it is not religion that divides us as a people, but those who use it for political gains.

Mr. President, know that you have crossed the political Rubicon and confounded the naysayers, it is time for healing and inclusion. This you can do and have done before. It was you who first gave non-Lagosians especially Nigerians from the South East a place at the political table as commissioners and advisers, and one is expectant you will bring this to fruition once again.

Your early appointments haven’t just been about loyalty but competence, delicate balancing and ability. Today, the North Central, a Christian and Tiv, Senator George Akume, is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Bravo!

The Speaker of the House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a man of near-impeccable grace is the Chief of Staff. He comes to the Office with a rich political and educational pedigree and managerial dexterity. Since the morning tells the day as Nigerians are wont to say, then, there is the expectation that the calibre of ministerial nominees and other appointments, which should be about two weeks from the proclamation and inauguration of the National Assembly will meet the yearning and desires of Nigerians.

As the primus conqueror, there are legions of challenges that ought to be conquered and consigned to the waste bin and these you are in the know of. As a master of governance and state craft, Dear President, this country has waited for a time such as this, I join other Nigerians to pray for divine guidance, direction, wisdom and success.

The Lion, the King of the jungle, is kingly not for its physical strength and beautiful mane, rather because it leads and protects the pride. Mr. President, you are our lion king, the leader of the pride; Nigeria. Lead, let us follow. Direct, let us have direction. Guide and we will see guidance. This country has tarried for long in the wilderness and it is time to bring her home, restore her pride as the Giant of Africa and let the world take note, that indeed, this is worth all the effort and investment.

Postscript: To those of you who have drank generously from President Tinubu’s magnanimity and investment, who have you helped up the ladder of destiny? Is it all about yourself and tiny family? Are you spreading the goodness to fresh and fallow fields so that one day you can find your roots in other parts of the country? Time beckons on you to follow the exemplary conduct of the master and bring in more sheep into the president’s fold by offering hands of fellowship to others.

Mariam Mohammed is a Publisher and Political PR Strategic Consultant – 08152688888