Editorial: Navigating the Shifting Tides of Nigerian Politics

JP Ashedzi

As Nigerians welcome a new era in her leadership, we also with open arms welcome groundbreaking shifts in different perspectives of the Nigerian political train.

Earlier on, the President shook tables in this country by suspending several public officers, and this is to show that nobody is truly above the law. This development was welcomed by some, rejected by others, while some others were indifferent about the whole shift.

The fact remains that both of those who rejected or the ones who with glad hearts accepted this new ‘fearless’ system of government have the best of the country at heart.

What we Nigerians just desire is a leadership that will make our fatherland truly home. The means by which this is achieved hardly matters. We agree now that ‘the end justifies the means’. So as much as this means-whether the removal of certain public officers or offenders if we dare say-still leaves us alive when it’s over, then we are fine with it.

Another mighty shift that the new government brought with it is the removal of fuel subsidy that has led to a slow decline in the country’s economy. This is because the effect of the removal is felt on all aspects of daily living in the country.

Food cost as well as transportation have skyrocketed, tuition fees are increasing. Even dressing properly has seen its share of this sudden but compulsory change. Hence, because of the hope that comes with the general improvement of the outlook of the country, Nigerians are still holding on to invisible strings.

Most recently, though, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed a total of 45 amiably handpicked men and women as ministers of the federation.

What is comforting about the selection process is that it was a balanced process that led to an unbiased selection. There was a fair number of females as well as unquestionable membership from all geopolitical zones in the country.

Ogun State records a special attention three of her citizens made it to the ministerial list, these include a revered economist, Mr. Wale Edun, as the country’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Dr. Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy; and Dr. Ishak Salako as Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management.

In a statement by Ogun state Governor congratulating his brothers, he said, “There is no doubt that the nomination of Mr. Wale Edun, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and Dr. Ishaq Salako and the subsequent assignment of portfolios reflects President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to turn things around in the country and give hope to millions of Nigerians.”

The result of the selection has brought about an influx of promises from different quarters.

For Minister Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT, it was a rain of promises and threats as he made his first speech. He is administration would specifically work hard to restore the city’s master plan according to the mandate he was given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In restoring the master plan, the new minister said illegal buildings would have to go, and he is ready to step on toes in the process.

He said: “It will not be business as usual. Those distorting Abuja Master Plan: if you build where you are not supposed to, the building will go down”

Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa(Esq.), Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, has turned her attention towards generating revenue for the country through entertainment.

She stated to journalists “Apart from the potential of generating revenue for the nation, revenue that will be put back into the system that will benefit Nigerians in all the sphere, we can use this ministry to nurture the unity of the nation that our forefathers like Ahmadu Bello, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sardauna, Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe and the rest bequeathed to us.

“Somehow, the message of unity in our diversity has several decades ago been lost; so there is a great task ahead of us, and we need all hands on deck to export ourselves to the international stage.”

While expressing excitement about being the pioneer Minister of the new Ministry, she noted that President Tinubu has tasked them to discharge their responsibilities in the interest of Nigerians, stressing that nobody was representing any region of the country.

She said the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy was carved out of the Federal Ministry of Information to enable specialisation of the three areas; hence, she urged the staff members to be committed to the vision of exporting Nigeria’s culture on the world’s stage.

“In the couple of years, I must say this particular space has been completely untapped, or has not been utilized in a way that gives us deliverables that we need as a nation.

“I think by giving us this ministry, it gives us an opportunity to tap into that space in a way it will thoroughly change the narrative of Nigeria to cultivate our culture and our heritage to showcase who we really are as a people.”

Moreover, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has said he is open to suggestions and criticisms. He has promised to take the saying seriously that no one is above the law.

He also warned staff of the ministry that he would not condone any form of indiscipline, breach of protocol, or deliberate delay of files.

“I don’t expect a director to come to me straight without passing through the appropriate channel, just as I will not encourage a junior officer to bypass protocols.

Furthermore, in his remarks, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has expressed his strong determination to boost the economy through various initiatives focusing on the marine sector.

As very usual and expected of Nigerians, we watch once more with folded arms what this new ministerial selection will birth and how their promises will play out.