Asiwaju Tinubu as the incoming President of Africa's biggest economy and the most populous black nation on earth, will undoubtedly be having more than enough on not only his hands but on his body, mind and soul.
But as a master tactician who has been preparing for this moment all his life is undoubtedly equipped with the requisite , experience and discipline to withstand the pressure and chat a new course in the history of our beloved nation.
In as much no one doubted the capacity and capability of the President-elect my only fear is hinged on the people that will work with him and help him to achieve his renewed hope dream.
The President-elect is in a better position to know the weakness, drawbacks and factors that limit the performance of the present government. The most disturbing and heartbreaking factor is sabotage from within, all fueled by ego and hunger for relevance and, in some cases, allegiance by his cabinet members to other interest.
Again, we're back to that invaluable moment of horse-trading and political realignment. Using Ekiti State as an example, it won't be difficult to see how the ministerial nomination is tearing the party apart. On the 26th of April the Guardian Newspaper published an article it's reporter Ayodele Afolabi titled" ,”Tinubu's ministerial nomination tears Ekiti APC apart". Ayodele rightly captured the frightening picture of the party in the state thus "The interest of some leaders and godfathers in the slot, it was learned, is creating a tense atmosphere, as followers of those leaders are forming caucuses, which has led to bad blood within the party.”
“The Guardian learned that the camp of Senator Dayo Adeyeye, who championed the South-West Agenda for Asiwaju Tinubu (SWAGA) presidential ambition, was not taking Fayemi’s ambition lightly.
A source in Adeyeye’s camp, who spoke with The Guardian in confidence, said that if anybody should be nominated on merit, it must be the former Minister of State for Works that spearheaded the struggle for Tinubu’s ambition.”
“Fayemi has had his fair share of the leadership position in Ekiti State, having been governor and minister; he should allow others, especially those who work tirelessly for Asiwaju, to get the ministerial slot.”
“Others that are reportedly jostling for the slot included the Minister of Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo and another chieftain of the party, who chaired the grassroots mobilization for the presidential election, Akin Alayisade.”
In as much as it is normal and expected to experience some lobbying, rivalry and competition between various interests in political offices, what is generally overlooked is the fact that the battle of godfathers never ends and the end of every war is the beginning of another, reminiscent of the happenings in Zamfara 2019 where the battle of the godfathers led APC to lose every elective position in state, same can be said of Adamawa, Bauchi, Edo, Zamfara again in 2023 etc.
Careful analysis revealed that 80% of the elections that were lost by the APC is a case of APC helping the opposition to defeat the APC due to internal rift, squabbles and rivalry.
It is on this note that I want to call the attention of the President-elect to consider Dr. Adegboyega Bamisile as his ministerial nominee in the state because it will help him kill many birds with one stone.
Asiwaju has promised a balanced government and an all-inclusive cabinet that will be sympathetic to the course of the Youths who were the largest, most active and yet, the most neglected political block in the country.
It cannot be gainsaid that Dr. Adegboyega has the capacity and the requisite experience to be a rich addition to the renewed hope cabinet. And his appointment will help reduce the tension between the various blocks jostling to proliferate the old order.
Also, as a practical person and a fisher of talent, Asiwaju will find in Dr. Gboyega uncommon attributes, qualities, and expertise that will surely impress Nigerians and positively impact on the long road to renewed hope, after all, the leaders of tomorrow must be made today else we will be guilty of one of the most heinous crimes in the history of mankind.
It is also my firm believe that Dr. Gboyega's appointment will go along way in aiding the war against poverty, hunger, and illiteracy in Africa due to his commitment, contributions, and dedication to that course. He has personally assisted my Center severally with relieve materials, medications, food supplements, stable foods and have you.
These are the people who deserve positions, someone that can leave the comfort of his home and travel a hundred of kilometers to strange and distant lands in other to attend seminars, workshops, and other activities geared towards eradicating hunger and helping the vulnerable.
I pray that Asiwaju finds it in his wisdom to appoint this helper of men so that the poor, the orphans and the downtrodden will find a course to smile again.
Mohammad Hanif Abu Hanif a director with the Center for the Eradication of Poverty, Diseases and Hunger in Africa, a native of Zamfara, writes from Ado Ekiti.
Tags
Opinion