The Great Expectations of President Tinubu: A New Era for Nigeria
The people of Nigeria have entered a new chapter as they welcome the start of the new year. For those who have endured the challenges of high living costs, insecurity, and inflation, the hope of a brighter future looms on the horizon. In the year 2023, Nigeria witnessed a pivotal election that led to the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President of the country. However, his victory was met with legal challenges from his opponents, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who contested the results all the way to the Supreme Court. Ultimately, President Tinubu’s triumph was upheld by the highest court in the land.
President Tinubu promptly implemented new policies, including the removal of petroleum subsidies and the unification of the forex exchange rate. While these measures were intended to bring about positive change, the immediate impact was felt through an increase in the cost of living for the Nigerian people. In response, the Tinubu administration pledged to provide palliative payments of N25,000 to 15 million Nigerians over a three-month period, as well as a wage increase for civil servants. However, questions have been raised regarding the government’s fulfilment of these promises, as civil servants faced delays in receiving their payments.
The issue of insecurity has been a critical concern under the new administration, with incidents such as the Tudun Biri bomb attacks and the Christmas Eve violence in Plateau painting a grim picture of the ongoing challenges. President Tinubu’s government is tasked with developing effective security measures to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians. It is evident that a new approach is needed to address the root causes of banditry and other related crimes, as the current militarization of affected communities has proven inadequate. The resolution of the crisis between Fulani herdsmen and native farmers, as well as the conflict in the South-East, requires a nuanced and inclusive dialogue to address the underlying grievances.
In his New Year message, President Tinubu made promises to improve the standard of living for civil servants and to expedite efforts towards stable power supply. Additionally, he pledged to hold non-performing ministers accountable for their positions. It is imperative that these commitments are not just rhetoric, but are backed by tangible actions. As the Nigerian economy faces challenges and citizens grapple with insecurity and inflation, President Tinubu’s administration must deliver on its promises to realize the vision of a “renewed hope agenda”.
In conclusion, the expectations for President Tinubu’s leadership are high, and the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The Nigerian people yearn for meaningful change and progress, and it is incumbent upon the government to uphold its commitments and deliver tangible results. The time for action is now, and President Tinubu has the opportunity to lead Nigeria into a new era of prosperity and stability.
By Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State
