Bola Tinubu, the newly elected president of Nigeria, is set to be sworn in on Monday, assuming leadership of Africa’s largest democracy. The 71-year-old won the February election by promising to restore hope to the country, but he faces significant challenges in the areas of economy and security.
Tinubu will succeed outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, who served two terms in office. However, his victory is currently being contested in court by his two closest rivals, who claim that the outcome was manipulated. Despite the legal challenge, President Buhari, who did not seek re-election, has expressed confidence in the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.
Dignitaries from various African countries, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, underscoring the importance of this momentous event. However, Tinubu will have little time for celebration as Nigerians anticipate swift action from their new leader.
The country is grappling with a high inflation rate, reaching its highest level in nearly 18 years, while one in three people are unemployed. Additionally, Nigeria’s vital oil industry is experiencing a decline in output. Tinubu will need to act promptly to convince those who did not vote for him that he is capable of addressing these pressing issues. As a trained accountant and former two-term governor of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, he is well-versed in tackling challenging circumstances.
Supporters of the incoming president believe that he will adopt a technocratic and thoughtful approach to governance, drawing upon his successful revitalization of Lagos. However, critics argue that Tinubu has lost the vigor he once possessed in modernizing Lagos. Concerns about his health have also arisen, as he has made two international trips since the election. In 2021, he spent months in London receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. Despite these concerns, Tinubu dismisses the notion that the presidency requires the fitness of an Olympic athlete and points out that President Joe Biden of the United States is older at 80.
The outcome of Tinubu’s presidency may depend on the ongoing legal challenge posed by the candidates who finished second and third in the February election, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, respectively. The election tribunal is expected to commence hearings on Tuesday, and a verdict is anticipated within the next six months.
As Nigeria ushers in Bola Tinubu as its new president, citizens remain divided in their expectations for a better future under his leadership. The country faces numerous challenges, including security crises, widespread poverty, and hunger, which have left many disillusioned. Tinubu has pledged to deliver democratic dividends, reunite the nation, create jobs, boost local production, invest in agriculture and infrastructure, and enhance national security. However, some sceptics draw parallels to the unmet expectations of President Buhari, raising concerns about transparency and governance in Tinubu’s administration.
Image Credit: Bola Tinubu/Twitter
