Why Tinubu must maintain the alliance that brought him to power
Since the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which the then Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), recently acknowledged during his book launch that the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola won under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), no other candidate has successfully contested a presidential election using a Muslim-Muslim ticket […]
Since the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which the then Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), recently acknowledged during his book launch that the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola won under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), no other candidate has successfully contested a presidential election using a Muslim-Muslim ticket until Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Despite being a minority Muslim from Southern Nigeria, Tinubu defied expectations and secured victory in the first round, an outcome many thought unlikely given the unwritten agreement that a Southern president should be a Christian and a Northern president a Muslim.
Tinubu, a shrewd and strategic politician, read the political landscape accurately and leveraged the support of Northern Nigeria to clinch victory, despite the ruling party’s dwindling popularity under former President Buhari due to issues like the naira redesign policy, cash scarcity, and rampant insecurity. With the right political alliances and resources effectively deployed, Tinubu emerged victorious.
However, recent developments — including mass defections from the PDP to the ruling party and Tinubu’s perceived alignment with former opponents of the Muslim-Muslim ticket — are causing concern among some of the key players who contributed to his success. This shift in alliances could have long-term implications for any future Southern Muslim candidate seeking Northern support in a presidential race.
As president, Tinubu is expected to be fair to all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion. Nonetheless, in the pursuit of national unity, he must not neglect those who played critical roles in his rise to power. Reports of Vice President Kashim Shettima being sidelined in key government decisions when the president is absent, if true, are particularly troubling. Shettima was instrumental in mobilising critical Northern stakeholders and rallying support for Tinubu during the primaries and the general election. Marginalising such key allies could undermine loyalty and weaken the Tinubu/Shettima ticket’s standing ahead of a potential re-election bid.
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Identifying and appointing qualified stakeholders who were instrumental during the campaign to key government positions will not only maintain loyalty but also bolster the administration’s capacity to deliver on its promises. While it is impossible to satisfy everyone, Tinubu must prioritise impactful economic policies that benefit all Nigerians, irrespective of region.
Northern Nigeria delivered over 60 per cent of the votes that brought Tinubu/Shettima to power. It is vital for the administration to acknowledge and reciprocate this support through tangible policies and projects that address the specific challenges facing the region. New alliances may be beneficial, but they cannot replace the pivotal role the North played in Tinubu’s ascent to power.
With two years remaining in his term, President Tinubu has ample time to focus on governance and implement policies that uplift Nigerians economically and socially. Neo-liberal policies promoted by international financial institutions like the World Bank and the IMF, which may not align with Nigeria’s unique socio-economic realities, should be critically assessed. What works for Europe may not necessarily work for Nigeria.
During the campaign, Tinubu acknowledged Nigeria’s problems and pledged to address them. Nigerians are becoming increasingly impoverished, and only sound leadership and concrete actions will restore faith in his administration and bolster his chances for re-election.
Abdurrahman Sani Jos sent this piece from Jos, Plateau State