Page 5 - AfrOil Week 09 2023

AfrOil COMMENTARY AfrOil

While out of the country, he continued to spear- go away, despite being acquitted of all charges
head the democratic movement for Nigeria. In during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.
1999, following the restoration of democracy, he
was elected as the governor of Lagos State. What challenges will Tinubu face?
Nigeria’s new president faces daunting chal-
Tinubu’s Lagos legacy lenges, including insecurity, unemployment,
Tinubu’s triumph in the 2023 election was based inflation, and ethnic divisions.
on his performance as the former governor of The most populous country in Africa is fac-
Lagos, where he has won praise for a massive ing multiple security problems, including the
economic transformation. During his tenure abduction of individuals for ransom, the pres-
from 1999 to 2007, he implemented reforms in ence of militant Islamist organisations in the
revenue generation, the judiciary, security and northern region and a separatist rebellion in the Africa’s
infrastructure development, which contributed south-east.
to the growth of foreign investment in Lagos. Among other incidents, in the last year, largest oil
In this role, he openly battled the federal Nigeria has seen a mass shooting at a Catholic
government, particularly regarding his choice Church and a terrorist attack on a passenger producer
to establish new local governments in Lagos. As train, leading to the loss of several lives and
a result, he became the sole governor out of six abductions. Although Buhari has taken meas- must import
in the southwest region of Nigeria to secure a ures to combat terrorism, a considerable num- gasoline and
second term in 2003, running on the ticket of ber of Nigerians believe he has not done enough.
the opposition party, Alliance for Democracy. The economy is a major issue, given the cur- suffers from
In his campaign, Tinubu emphasised his rent inflation rate of 21.8%, which has resulted
position as a continuity candidate and prom- in increased living expenses and significant an unstable
ised to continue Buhari’s successes in pushing financial hardship.
towards economic self-reliance, including Unemployment is also a critical challenge, electrical grid
boosting exports and reducing reliance on particularly for younger individuals. The
imports. National Bureau of Statistics indicates that 33%
Tinubu’s advocates claim that he is a skil- of the population is unemployed, with a higher
ful political mediator and bridge builder, who rate of 42.5% for younger adults.
played a significant role in elevating numerous Despite being a significant oil producer glob-
prominent personalities in the country, such as ally, 50% of Nigerians live below the poverty line,
the incumbent president and vice-president, lacking access to essential infrastructure such as
and several members of Buhari’s cabinet. electricity, safe drinking water and improved
However, Tinubu’s critics point to controver- sanitation. The country must also import gas-
sies surrounding his age, parental ancestry, edu- oline and suffers from an instable electrical grid.
cational background, and health. At 70 years of Tinubu must also prioritise fostering unity
age, there are concerns among some Nigerians and reconciliation in a country that remains sig-
about electing another leader with health issues. nificantly fragmented along ethnic boundaries.
Current President Muhammadu Buhari’s pro- By establishing a shared sense of national iden-
longed absence from the country for medical tity and encouraging acceptance and respect
reasons during his tenure has also contributed between diverse groups, it may be possible to
to these worries. diminish ethnic divides and promote greater
Allegations of corruption have also failed to social harmony. ™

Tinubu (L) shakes hands with President Buhari (R), who is also a member of APC (Photo: Twitter/@officialABAT)

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