By Kunle Oyatomi
Chroniclers of contemporary history agree that the full partisan entry of the military might of the United States of America into the Second World War introduced the final factor that brought Germany and its Axis forces to their knees.
While the immense power of the Soviet troops was shrinking the control of the Germans in Eastern Europe, the huge US strength had joined the armies of Western Europe to checkmate Hitler’s inroads. Now, while these skirmishes were on with the US’ intervention promptly recognized as the game changer, the Japanese forces of the Axis were unyielding, leading to their deadly assault on the Americans at Pearl Harbour.
That was when the US unleashed its secret weapon, the atomic bomb, on two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It had never been deployed before and the world is praying it will never again feature in the affairs of humanity. It pulverized the economy of and halted the military operations of the Axis powers. Without much ado after the blasts, World War 2 came to an end, thanks to the game-changer roles of the Americans and their atomic device.
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That’s how I want us to assess the transition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from his traditional role as a political kingmaker to the more visible position of a direct combatant, as it were. Like the strategic move of the Americans during the closing days of World War 2, I believe Tinubu’s decision to be in the fray this time and not stay in the wings, would be a game changer that would greatly benefit Nigeria. If his efforts over the years as a mentor and sponsor produced some of our brilliant public office holders at the centre and in some of the states, it goes without saying that Tinubu’s direct hold on political power at the peak would change the Nigerian narratives for the better.
If you dismiss my postulations as speculative, I can only simply refer you to Tinubu’s era as the governor of Lagos State for eight years from 1999. His landmark achievements, without boring readers, have found their way into the record books. Politicians who desire to make a difference in office now study his methods for an encore in their own time. You don’t emulate a failure. Do you?
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Those who aspire to change the game in their service to the people don’t look elsewhere but in the direction of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC. That’s where you find the unequalled record of the man who created several local governments and stood by his decision even when the federal lords withdrew his state’s statutory funds. It was a killer punch from Abuja. But Lagos under Tinubu didn’t go under. It survived, with the court later vindicating the governor.
As we study the declarations of this great man again while he goes on the hustings to convince us he can transform Nigeria if given the mandate next year, we can discern that the fire he had to power Lagos into history and many firsts isn’t dead. The old horse is still set to win races.
See Jagaban Tinubu’s position on tackling corruption for instance. All along, our leaders have looked at the malaise from its symptoms and outcomes, scarcely at its causes. But here comes Tinubu with a fresh perspective. He says his administration would battle factors that bring about corruption. He says for starters, he would make credit facilities easy and simple. So? Listen, he says, ‘’If you have credit facilities to buy a car and a house, why will you want to steal again?’’ Looks simplistic. But it does make sense. Those who raid the public till for the comfort of living do so when the system denies them the legitimate outlet to make ends meet.
See also Tinubu’s position on agriculture and food security. He says he will introduce policies that would inevitably ensure that rice mills spring up all over the Nigerian land mass. The former governor says: ” The North will become the hub of agric. Dairy economy will be encouraged. We will encourage Agro Allied Industries. We will guarantee stable prices through Commodities Exchange Markets.’’
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How about Industrializing the Nigerian economy? The Jagaban won’t allow raw export. His policy: ‘’You must manufacture to (a) level before exporting. I will reposition our industries…We will fetch water from dry well. We will find a way where there is no way. Why are we not the headquarters of plastic in Africa? There are many byproducts of refinery. Dangote is about to complete his refinery. Just imagine encouraging another person to build one more.’’
My take is that given these glimpses of a Tinubu Presidency starting in 2023, Nigeria and its citizens would experience a structural transformation capable of presenting the polity with a new lease of life. What’s missing and responsible for a cycle of our mishaps in the society over the years is a fresh breath of ideas. It’s obvious that Tinubu’s pedigree and current manifesto place him higher, above the crowd of the other presidential candidates.
Bola Tinubu’s open entry into the game will drive the much desired dynamic life into the political discourse for the better.
…OYATOMI Esq., a former Editor in VANGUARD, writes from Osogbo
