Nigeria is a country with numerous tribes. With more than 250 ethnic groups, it’s not unusual for Nigeria to take the reins in a battle that only the fittest will win. Although we claim to practice democracy in Nigeria, we all know that this is just a disguise. Instead, there is an unwritten, almost unspoken rule that the nation’s leadership rotates among Nigeria’s three main ethnic groups: Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and after one ethnic group, another takes the reins, but this time seems different. since the three main ethnic groups want to be in charge. This article focuses on the candidates from the two ethnic groups that seem mostly at odds with each other: Atiku for the North, Tinubu for the South.
For one thing, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not an alien name in Nigerian politics. He was once Governor of Lagos State in 1999 and his achievements cannot be underestimated. During his reign as Governor of Lagos State, he faced numerous challenges such as poor roads, deteriorating infrastructure, high crime rate, low welfare for public officials, among others. He bravely tackled these issues. He carried out 417 road construction projects covering 250 kilometers, some of these roads are Lekki-Epe highway, LASU-Iba highway, among others. He addressed health problems by providing free health services for children under 12 and adults over 60, free prenatal care. women’s care, to name a few. One of the greatest achievements of his as Governor of Lagos State is the creation of new Local Government Areas (LGAs). He created 37 LGAs on top of the 20 already in existence and financed them without federal government revenue, it would be a lie and slander to say that such a man is not capable of ruling Nigeria.
On the other hand, Atiku Abubakar is also no stranger to Nigerian politics being a former Vice President. He was Vice President during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and even as Vice President he made numerous contributions to the growth of Nigeria. Atiku led the Economic Management Team that paid off Nigeria’s debt, adding that he also privatized the telecommunications and cement industries, which he said exploded Nigeria’s GDP and created jobs. He promoted the creation of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). , and he gave that anti-corruption body its first grant, from his budget, because they were created between budgets, he also led the Obasanjo administration’s efforts to restore peace, law and order during the crisis of the Sharia of 2000, to mention a few. As for his achievements, it would be an act of defamation to say that he is not capable of ruling Nigeria either.
Unquestionably, times have changed. There are many years between 1999, when Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State and Atiku was Vice President, and now; 2023. During these years things have changed as people have evolved, so to speak, along with their character. Tinubu is no longer as vibrant as before. His health has deteriorated and old age is coming, videos of the things he has done, probably by mistake, have circulated on the Internet and now serve as proof of his declining brain. I think most people would agree with the fact that an old man licking the microphone he was asked to try, mixing up the words he wants to say, he’s already feeling the pangs of old age, maybe drugs will hold him up and keep him going. But will those drugs hold him up after he carries the weight of Nigeria on his shoulders?
As most know, Atiku’s credibility has been called into question in recent years. He has been accused of corruption on several occasions, and even if they were refuted as accusations, it cannot be forgotten that for it to even come up he must have done something questionable. Many times he has been accused of financial irregularities. Toward the end of his term as vice president, he faced charges related to abuse of power, embezzlement of public funds, and money laundering. The government, during his administration, alleges that serious irregularities characterized the handling of some 135 million dollars in the coffers of a government agency that he headed. It is alleged that he applied the funds to benefit his friends and associates. Can a man whose integrity and credibility have been questioned many times be fit for such a high position where greed and corruption reside?
The big question in this piece is whether either of them, Tinubu and Atiku, are really capable of being the president of Nigeria?
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