Tinubu’s Re-Election: Northern Support, a Sine- Qua-non | By Adeniyi Olowofela
Politicians are restless ‘animals.’ President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is barely halfway through his tenure, yet neither he nor his cabinet members have openly advocated for his re-election. Instead, he remains focused on reengineering the Nigerian state.
Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political leader Mahatma Gandhi was once quoted as saying, “If Indians cannot clothe themselves, let them walk naked.” This statement rejuvenated the people, driving them to invest heavily in textile production, which has since blossomed into a thriving industry.
Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
Fundamentally, President Tinubu has declared a privatisation policy in the oil industry, allowing market forces to determine prices based on the basic law of supply and demand.
For years, the Port Harcourt refinery had been plagued by unseen factors beyond the understanding of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. However, Tinubu and his team have resolved these longstanding issues. With oil being the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy, its proper functioning is a commendable feat that deserves recognition.
Education and National Development
A former Nigerian minister once lamented, “What is this mad rush for education in the Southwest?” Today, that so-called “mad rush” has extended beyond the region, becoming a national priority.
To support this growing demand, President Tinubu has established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to provide financial aid to indigent but determined students seeking higher education. This initiative ensures that no willing student is left behind due to financial constraints.
Regional Development and National Unity
The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) has long-established policies for cooperation among states in the Southwest. Similarly, each geopolitical zone now has developmental frameworks tailored to its needs. For those agitating for the country’s balkanisation—whether Biafra agitators, Yoruba Nation proponents, or others—these regional initiatives present an opportunity for meaningful progress within a united Nigeria.
The Political Reality: What’s in It for the North?
When the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) won the June 12, 1993 election, ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida annulled it, plunging the nation into political chaos. In an attempt to stabilise the situation, Babangida hurriedly appointed Chief Ernest Shonekan—neither a politician nor a military general—as the head of an interim government.
With MKO Abiola placed under house arrest, the restless General Sani Abacha ousted Shonekan and assumed full military control. However, Abiola’s mandate remained a thorn in the nation’s political conscience. Under Abacha’s authoritarian rule, prominent figures like Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Yar’Adua were imprisoned, while the nation was gripped by fear and tension.
Years later, both Abacha and Abiola died under mysterious circumstances. General Abdulsalami Abubakar then became Head of State, promising a return to democracy. The anger in the South, particularly in the Southwest, remained intense. In response, Northern political leaders orchestrated a power-sharing arrangement, leading to both major political parties fielding Yoruba candidates—Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP) and Chief Olu Falae (APP/AD). Ultimately, Obasanjo won and governed for eight years.
His successor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, couldn’t complete two terms due to illness and death. His deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, took over, finishing the remainder of the tenure and winning another full term. When the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged from a merger of ACN, CPC, and a faction of PDP, it provided the platform for Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, which lasted two terms.
A tradition has now been established: once elected, a sitting president is almost always re-elected. The North, known for its decisive voter base and political acumen, should consider exercising its franchise in favor of Tinubu’s re-election.
Beyond Economic Hardship: A Call for Patience
The economic challenges facing Nigeria today are the cumulative effects of past administrations, not solely the making of a man who has been in office for less than two years. President Tinubu has disrupted the status quo and is actively reengineering the nation. After darkness comes light—he deserves the chance to continue his reforms.
A Short-Term Sacrifice for Long-Term Stability
A four-year term—just 1,461 days—is a short political sacrifice for the North to make before power rotates again. Supporting President Tinubu for re-election is not just essential for the North but for all geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
Enough of the political blackmail. Let’s give Tinubu the chance to reorder the nation.
Professor Adeniyi Olowofela writes from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
