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The proverb “tortoise crawls but is very wise” highlights the idea that slow and steady perseverance can lead to success, even in seemingly difficult situations. It emphasises that wisdom is not always about speed or immediate action, but rather about careful planning, consideration, and a measured approach.
This proverb simply exemplifies President Bola Tinubu. Hate or like him, he is the master of the game in Nigeria’s political system.
Being in politics for over 30 years has given him the time to study, examine, and analyse the terrain he finds himself in after leaving Exxon Mobil as a treasurer.
Something must be very distinct about him: what goes on in his head, how he sees people around, what keeps him going, how he concludes that you forgive your enemy ahead even when they betray you? What does he perceive of his enemies when he later forgives them? Does he have trust issues when they come back to him? Or is he more interested in loyalty than trust? What keeps him ahead of his peers in the political ring? Is Tinubu such a good political boxer who understands his opponent and plays to their weakness like Muhammad Ali, who many have said is the greatest boxer of all time?
As a political scientist, theories are what beget discourse, discourse begets conceptualisation, and conceptualisation begets norms and rules. This quote was from a friend of mine, Anuli Aniebo, a very intelligent lady I met recently.
As a student of political science, I remember some of the key factors I was taught in Pols 401 that can influence how politics is being perceived, which I think President Tinubu has mastered in over 30 years of trading the stock of politics in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
Political behaviour: It simply means how individuals and groups make political decisions, engage in political processes, and participate in elections. This theory shows that the President studies his opponent, both friends, perceived enemies, and perceived friends. His very calculative, his analytical skills of human behaviours need to be studied. Tinubu speaks to your political soul, which makes you more vulnerable to him, and be sure he knows what to do to always have your back; it might take time, but he makes sure he keeps his promises. In simple form, this theory is saying that in politics, no permanent friends or enemies. In politics, there are only permanent interests, so far, you can understand their political behavioural patterns.
78trn FCT budget to N'Assembly
Political systems: Understanding different types of governments, such as democracies, dictatorships, and monarchies. But in this case, we stick to democracy because that is what we practise here in Nigeria. President Tinubu knows that democracy can accommodate his tactics and strategies of how politics can be played; it is all about the people. A good example is how he turned the politics of Lagos around with people at the centre of discussion. Tinubu made us understand that grassroots politics is the bedrock of any politician: if the people are with you, then you are good to go. A case of the former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode vs the APC members in the state, you can draw your analysis from that.
Political institutions: Examining organisations like legislatures, courts, and bureaucracies. This theory is the driver of Tinubu’s agenda. The President knows that to achieve his agenda, he needs this set of people. Let me ask you, as a contractor who is working on a project, won’t you do everything within your means to make sure you have a successful project as far as is within the scope of legality and people-centric? The President needs the legislature, judiciary, even if they have to disagree on some issues, but the ultimate goal is that everyone must be on the same side to achieve the goals.
Evolutionary theory: This approach views politics as a process of adaptation to changing environments, where different political structures and behaviours are determined based on their ability to promote survival and reproduction of groups. If you look at this theory in literal terms, you might not get the story, but look at it through the lens of economic and political survival.
President Tinubu took a risk on this theory when he said no more subsidies and floated the naira. It only takes a bold and forward-thinking leader to do this. The economic and political cost implications are too risky in a country whose majority of its revenue is from crude oil. But to be different, you must be ruthless in your principles and policies as long as it yields a good result. Not all politicians are good leaders. A politician sees from the lenses of interest, a leader sees through a human-centred lens, which brings about empathy, respect and understanding to be able to lead more effectively.
Social contract: President Tinubu knows that for governance to get closer to the grassroots, more money needs to be pumped into the society, and infrastructure needs to be available for the people. Tell me the last time you heard any governor going to borrow because the money is now available to them, something they never had in a previous administration. They can pay salary, infrastructure is going on in different parts of the country.
The long and short of my story is to look at all these theories and see for yourself why people wouldn’t defect to the APC.
Politics 401 needs to be reviewed. A Nigerian political scientist needs to sit down with President Tinubu and tap into his brain and ask him how he does these things. In the Bola Tinubu school of politics, no one is an enemy, everyone is a potential friend that has needs and interests. Sit down with him and your interest will be considered irrespective of your political affiliation.
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