A Tinubu paradigm shift from a Politician to a Statesman

By Bolaji O. Akinyemi.

In the article “Political Tombstone of Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, I critiqued President Tinubu’s leadership, interrogating his achievements over the period that he has been in the saddle as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which will be exactly 2 years on the 29th of May 2025; furthermore, I asked questions about the performance upon which he hopes to hinge his re-election. I recommended the need for him to trade his reelection for a political legacy that could endure a timeless horizon in the annals of history. I argued that despite Tinubu’s political skills, his policies have created economic hardship and crippled opposition political parties. The article was concluded with a piece of caution against excessive optimism, citing the importance of delivering on expectations, particularly security and economic development. It also highlighted the risk that encrust the presidency cum candidacy of Tinubu, and concluded that his ambition may be his downfall if he prioritizes personal gain over national greatness.

This is a follow up, in which I hope to further explore Tinubu’s prospects and the challenges ahead; analyzing his potential impact on Nigeria’s future.

It is a common saying that our diversity is our strength. Maybe, if understood and well managed from that point, it could be, but for now, the only thing we can harvest from it is division.

The ideology of generalisation is a problem within our polity; making it easy to conclude that every political figure from the North East cum North West is an Ahamadu Bello or a Tafawa Balewa, every political figure from the South East is another Nnamdi Azikiwe, so Tinubu from the South West is another Awolowo, and, ditto for similar figures from the Middle Belt (or North Central) and South South (or Niger Delta). This is not been fair to the memories of our heroes past. The worse of it all for such an ideology is the limitations that doesn’t give an Igbo an opportunity to be a different Igbo from the perverse creation of twisted history handed down to children elsewhere in Nigeria, especially in the North. Similarly, a Yoruba person is portrayed as a “munafiki” of the house of Nigeria which Tinubu’s relationship handling is suggesting to the North at this point in time; for which the ideologues of North are determined to see him out of power in 2027, even if it will take a war.

PBAT is the political maestro with mesmerising ability to turn a planned war into a political circus; a wonder like never seen before!

A peep into the past should condemned the Presidential system of government to failure in Nigeria; no matter how hard Tinubu tries, success will elude him and please get me clear, not even Obi can succeed where Tinubu is failing. It is deceptive to believe that our problem is entirely the economy made weak by corruption. The present structure of government as constituted more than anything else, is our problem coupled with the cognate ignorance of our leaders of the entity called Nigeria.

The reason Goodluck Ebele Jonathan failed is the reason Tinubu is failing; don’t be surprised that I jumped over Buhari? He is the most successful president “Nigeria ever had” since independence; no Fulani man has brought the feudalists close to their conquest agenda better than Buhari. Those who conspired to betray Nigeria national development in 2015 in the name of political victory for their party are ignorant, as ignorant as Jonathan, Tinubu and Obi of the matrix of the workings of Nigeria that made them buy the change of leadership for change of system. Sitting on the mat and eating with Almajari won’t make you anything, other than what Ulama says of you. You can take that to the bank and be wise!

Tinubu and Obi are well traveled; Tinubu’s career at Mobil was a global exposure. However, Tinubu like an average Yoruba person born and bred entirely in the South West without requisite in-person live-in exposure and the understanding of the cultural structure of other parts of Nigeria, especially the north is lacking in cognate exposure of the country named Nigeria. The success that Olusegun Obasanjo recorded at stabilising the country is weaved around his cognitive understanding of the Nigeria multi-cultural structure as a result of his years of military career and the fact that he was a north-centric vested interest made President who maintained the status quo as his hirers wanted it.

If any Nigerian believe that all we need is a better leader without poking an axe or a visit to the foundation that gave the feudalist ideology the steering wheel of the “Nigeria vehicle”, then we must all be jokers.

Lest we forget, Da Akuns’ “BATmanship” is what provoked the first article, same for this. My study of the fan base of PBAT has brought me to 3 categories; “BATists” BATfied and BATmen.

There are those who, like Da Akuns, believe the fiery tale of Awolowo’s appearance in the moon and the saying that Awolowo said he should be given just one day as the President and he will change Nigeria. These are people who believe that as Awolowo’s Yoruba kinsman, BAT is a wonder waiting to unfold; people like that are spread across the Middle Belt (or the non-Fulani/Hausa/Kanuri) and the South-South. I can therefore relate with many folklore like stories of Yoruba leadership ideology driving Da Jonathan Sunday Akuns, the Galadima Daffo, whose, Ron ethnic kinsman, Hon Joseph Makingkat Damla was part of the team that laid the peaceful foundation that the military destroyed to build this chaotic one that will never be able to hold our dream except it is tampered with; Hon Damla was an Action Group political party candidate that was elected to the federal parliament in 1959 and reelected in 1964 as part of the first national assembly that birthed the 1963 republican constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Da Akuns seems to be a bi-directional advocate of an absolute believer in the need for constitution reform now and mapping out the guide for Tinubu’s continuation; Da Akuns is the spokesman of the Movement for National Reformation founded by the indomitable sage, Chief Anthony Enahoro. If Da Akuns is giving half a chance opportunity as a BATman, the potential for success lies in the realisation of the dream that his kinsman shared with Awolowo of a regional government.

BATists are the stupid version of his fans. Their emptiness towers to the heavens; hollow in thinking and empty in talks, some bunch of bullies anywhere you encounter them. The BATified are those forcefully baptized into the ideology; Okowa is the new national Chairman of the BATified, my coin word for political stupidity. These are people who are doing what BAT never did in the course of his political career, but for the sake of BAT,  they’re rolling out drums and celebrating such nebulous baptism.

In light of the above, BAT will do well to create a paradigm shift in expectations come 2027; to deliver a 4th presidential ticket to a 4th presidential protégé and to doubly also secure the governorship ticket of Lagos State for his camp unto victory. A similar feat that has proved legendary was performed in 2007; BAT achieved a triple ticket heritage for the senate seat, (Lagos Central), Lagos governorship and presidential candidacy for Ganiyu Solomon, Babatunde Raji Fasola and Atiku Abubakar respectively. It’s amazing to know that Tinubu, as a politician has the skills, dexterity and the strategy to pull the cards of Jonathan, South South, Yemi Osibajo, South West and even Peter Obi South East. Tinubu is the Lord of the game and please, never say never to whichever card he choses to pull; Jonathan, Osibajo or Obi.

In the period of transitional retirement from a politician to a statesman, BAT will anchor the crown role to modernize FRN vide restructuring based on the local identity of residents; re-federalise governance to  a parliamentary system of government; the 2031 slot for Prime Minister will be for the north bloc of Nigeria of his protégé that could be strategically positioned from 2027. If BAT set his game year after year since 1992 till he picked the crown in 2023, replicating the set up of the next 3 tenures of the numero un of the FRN wouldn’t cause him a sleepless night. In God’s hand and presciently, BAT would have successfully assumed the role of Emeritus President of Nigeria and Father of the Nation. The constitutional framework could ensure that things work as they are set.
If my recommendation is embraced, BAT will live as the father of modern Nigeria to R.I.P. while his Team of Rivals from 1992- 2027 would have been outplayed ad infinitum!!!

In the end, it’s all about a BAT with a tripodal Tombstones; (i) in lifespan from womb to tomb (ii) in politics from 1992-2027 (iii) a Statesman from 2027- ad infinitum in lifespan into a timeless annals of generational history !
What a life of uncommon consummate accomplishments !

The epitaph could then be; here lies the Nigeria national solution to governance personified, a strategic politician, a statesman and the founding Father of Modern Nigeria.

Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He’s also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table. BoT Chairman, Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC Naija. He is a strategic Communicator and the C.E.O, Masterbuilder Communications.

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