Financial Mail and Business Day

Looking beyond Nigeria’s flawed election

It would be churlish for outsiders not to congratulate Nigerians and their new president after his inauguration following a hugely contested and probably flawed election. The inauguration of 70-year-old Bola Tinubu marks a milestone for Africa’s most populous country, and the continent, and it should be allowed to unleash the country’s huge potential to overcome its many challenges.

Tinubu’s elevation to president of Africa’s largest, but less diversified, economy, has not been glitch-free. Like most of his peers in the continent’s democracies, he came to power with a thin margin (37%). This is not a commentary on his popularity; rather, most voters who are disillusioned with politics are choosing to stay away from polls.

Also, even after his election and inauguration, Tinubu continued to face legal challenges from his rivals. This brings uncertainty to the country’s prospects. It could take months for the courts to rule on the dispute. This is an inconvenience. But it is the correct route that Nigeria’s relatively decent judiciary should hear the opponents’ grievances.

His foes have made much of his age and health. His visits to the UK have fuelled speculation around his health. African presidents tend to be secretive about their health status. Receiving medical care in foreign countries offers them secrecy. These are important concerns about Tinubu, but they should not be used to delay the exciting possibilities that his presidency promises.

His inauguration on Monday is significant for other reasons, including that power is changing hands democratically to a civilian. This should not be underestimated in a country with a history of coups. Tinubu deserves a chance to resolve his country’s many problems. His campaign, post-election conduct and, crucially, his inauguration address held much promise for the country’s future.

Basking in the glory of his victory, he announced that his administration would scrap the controversial fuel subsidy and redirect the decades-long largesse towards rehabilitating ageing infrastructure and building new schools, clinics and roads.

Though Nigeria is blessed with oil, it does not have adequate refining capacity, forcing it to import — and the price gap is made up by government support. Many of his predecessors ignored the subsidy problem. Following through this one promise — including aggressive infrastructure investment — would shore up his delivery credentials and distinguish him from past presidents.

At home, he has to revive a frail economy (22% inflation), assemble an inclusive administration and address lawlessness and disorder perpetrated by gangsters and insurgents — a longstanding problem.

On the international front, the bar is even lower. His predecessors were obsessed with the domestic agenda. A more assertive and internationally engaged Nigeria could be a force for good in global affairs.

OPINION

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2023-06-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://tisobg.pressreader.com/article/281668259358864

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