2023: To Tinubu, Nothing Can Stop Him From Succeeding Buhari – Here’s How:

Tinubu Describes His Quest To Become Nigeria’s President As Lifelong Ambition
Insists Aso Villa Is Where He Wants To Be In 2023

EDITOR’S PICK:

EKO HOT BLOG is aware that Nigerian politicians are known to be incurable optimists. It is within this context that political watchers can better understand the messaging adopted by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in expressing his resolve to become the next President of Nigeria.

While some ministers in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet were not optimistic enough to resign and pursue their political ambitions, Tinubu, a former Lagos governor, has consistently made it clear that his emergence as the next president of Nigeria is a foregone conclusion.

Tinubu was the first to publicly go to the Aso Villa to formally intimate Buhari of his intention to succeed him in 2023. He disclosed at the time that his quest to occupy the highest office in the country “is a lifelong ambition”, adding that he is a kingmaker who wants to become king.

A little over a month later, the APC leader showed the same determination at the home of the Olubadan-elect, Chief Lekan Balogun in Ibadan. He was reported as saying at the time, “No amount of intimidation can stop me. I am ready to get dirty. I am out to become President of Nigeria”.

Another pointer to his fixation on the plum job came in April when told by journalists that his erstwhile protégé now Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has formally declared interest in the 2023 presidential race. Tinubu responded by saying, “I don’t have any son grown up enough to make such declaration”.

Against the backdrop of many presidential aspirants seeking the same crown as him, the All Progressives Congress national leader would tell party delegates in Kaduna, “I don’t know where they are running to but for me, I am going to the villa. That’s where I want to be in 2023 In shaa Allah.”

Again, while meeting with APC leaders and delegates in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Wednesday, Tinubu pointed out that he has come of age in Nigerian politics, “but I am not going to retire until I become President”.

As upbeat as the foregoing lines come across, many a pundit believe that such optimism doesn’t always translate to victory, going by historical antecedents in the Nigerian polity. One of the public affairs analysts in this school of thought is Azu Ishiekwene.

In a widely published article entitled, ‘What history says about how Buhari’s successor will emerge’, the columnist wrote, “the history of presidential candidates also favours late, sometimes, unexpected and even unprepared entrants. For some reasons, the system appears to abhor preparation and readiness.

“Obafemi Awolowo, perhaps one of the most prepared for the office for which reason Odumegwu Ojukwu described him as “the best president Nigeria never had”, contested twice for the position. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who is perhaps next to Awolowo, at least for resilience and organisation, also never got it.

“On the contrary, from Shehu Shagari to Obasanjo and from Umaru Yar’Adua to Jonathan, accidental candidates have had an edge, making you wonder if there’s something about the office that cannot coexist with preparation. Even Buhari, who cried a river after three failed attempts, only got elected at his fourth, when he was thought to have given up.”

FURTHER READING:

Ishiekwene, who also noted that “there is something in the DNA of the power brokers that resents big political spenders, however added that “there would always be room for surprises and outliers, and any of the over 35 aspirants in the field could buck the trend”. To this extent, Tinubu may just be the surprise to buck the trend in 2023.

Click to watch our video of the week:

Sylvester Ugwuanyi