In Nigeria, once the general elections are over and a winner has been declared, the attention shifts from the outgoing to the incoming.
This has been the case since Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared President-Elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission following the 2023 general elections.
After travelling abroad for some much needed rest after the rigours of a national campaign, he successfully returned on the 24th April,2023 from Paris and since then, all attention has been shifted from Aso rock to Maitama where he currently is.
On the 26th April, it was revealed the President-elect and Vice-President elect had moved into the Defense house from where they would move into Aso-rock. By this singular action,the duo have become the responsibility of the Federal Government, which means that all Nigerians can do is to pray for them to succeed in their tenure, or keep mute till the court decides the cases before it.
There is an array of Nigerians, from Captains of Industries to Politicians that have been paying visits to the President Elect, trying to lobby for one thing or the other, or worm their ways into his good graces in the hope that it will benefit them later. In about 33 days,President Muhammadu Buhari will be handing over the reins of office, officially to Asiwaju Tinubu. As it is now, the national cake in Aso rock is just about over for many people, that’s why many see the moves made by this outgoing administration, the projects worth billions of naira as last minute mopping up of money, trying to get as much as they can out of the Treasury because they would soon no longer have access to it. As it is now, there are fewer visits to the outgoing President, as no one is looking for appointment from Muhammadu Buhari or contract awards, his days are numbered in the power house and the new sheriff in town is “Bola Ahmed Tinubu a.k.a the ‘Jagaban’, which is why there is a large influx of people trying to see him, to lobby for appointments and contracts.
Now on social media, the anger seems to have subsided, people are now optimistic of a new life as a new president will be inaugurated. Many are annoyed that President Buhari is leaving Nigerians worse than he met them. On going conversation on state of nation has continued to change either. People now use different slangs, one of which is, “May Buhari never happen to Nigeria again”.
Seriously, I emphatize with Nigeria, it has been a long battle. However, the major concern of Nigerians remains who will take Nigeria to the promised land? Who will wipe away the tears of Nigerians? Who will redeem the bad image of Nigeria? Could it be the new President-Elect?
What will become of the court cases filed by Mr Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu?
These and many more are questions begging for answers.
On the other hand, nothing lasts forever. Many people should remember that power is transient. Whatever you sow, you will reap. People will remember you for what you do whether good or bad.
Nigerian’s experience in the last eight years under Buhari was bitter-sweet but as we approach May 29 and the official inauguration of the new president, it is the wish and prayer of many that the new administration will be kind this time, and will have the will and capacity to right the wrongs of the past government.
Never have we had it so bad.
God bless Nigeria
Written by Tosin Adesile -tosinadesile@gmail.com