Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was declared the winner of last Saturday’s presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the early hours of Wednesday. Tinubu, the standard bearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured 8,794,729 votes and achieved the required 25 percent in 30 states, defeating his main rivals: Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who received 6,101,533 votes. Notably, Tinubu faced a surprising defeat in his home state of Lagos, where Obi emerged victorious, marking Tinubu’s first political loss since he began his dominance in the state’s politics in 1999.
Despite the challenges he has faced, including controversies surrounding his birth and education, allegations of corruption linked to his wealth, and concerns about his health, Tinubu has consistently pursued his ambition to lead Nigeria. Rather than being deterred by the criticisms directed at him, he has used these adversities as motivation to advance toward his goal. Those familiar with Tinubu’s political journey note that he has been preparing for the presidency for many years. While many of his contemporaries opted for retirement or positions in the Senate, Tinubu focused on building political alliances across the country, reportedly supporting the election of several state governors who, in turn, backed his presidential aspirations.
Tinubu’s political dynasty was forged during the challenging presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, when the federal government seized allocations meant for Lagos local governments due to disputes over local council development areas. This hostility compelled Tinubu to devise innovative strategies to sustain local governments and enhance the state’s revenue. His successor, Babatunde Fashola, further expanded the tax base and strengthened the state’s finances. Critics, however, have pointed to alleged questionable dealings between Tinubu’s tax consultancy firm, Alpha Beta, and the Lagos State government, which has raised eyebrows regarding transparency.
In an interview, Tunde Bakare, pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church, acknowledged Tinubu’s political acumen, highlighting his financial support for various governors, including Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun. Bakare remarked on Tinubu’s remarkable efforts to prevent the PDP from dominating the South-West region, using resources from Alpha Beta and other sources to secure victories in states like Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, and Osun. However, Tinubu’s control over Lagos politics has drawn criticism, particularly regarding his refusal to support Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s bid for a second term, which many viewed as contradictory to his proclaimed democratic values.
Tinubu’s early life remains somewhat enigmatic, with discrepancies surrounding his birth date and educational background. According to available affidavits, he was born on March 29, 1952, to Abibatu Mogaji, a trader who later became the Iyaloja of Lagos State. He moved to the United States in 1975 to study at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Chicago State University in 1979. During his time in the U.S., he worked for several companies, including Arthur Andersen and Mobil, while also developing a political ideology influenced by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Tinubu’s political career began in 1992 when he joined the Social Democratic Party as part of the Peoples Front faction led by Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. He later founded the Action Congress, which evolved into the Action Congress of Nigeria through a merger with other parties in 2006. In 2013, the party merged with several others to form the APC, establishing a formidable opposition to the ruling PDP. By 2007, Atiku Abubakar had fallen out with Obasanjo, leading him to defect to the Action Congress, although he ultimately lost the presidential election to PDP’s Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Tinubu’s aspirations for the presidency faced setbacks, including a failed attempt to run alongside Atiku in 2007 due to disagreements over the vice presidential ticket. Despite his efforts, Atiku chose Ben Obi as his running mate, which left Tinubu without a significant role in that election. He also sought to run with Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election but was again unsuccessful, as Buhari selected Yemi Osinbajo as his vice presidential candidate instead. Tinubu later explained that Osinbajo was chosen to ensure a religiously balanced ticket, given the political sensitivities of the time.
As the APC presidential primary approached last year, Tinubu expressed concerns about being sidelined from the race, emphasizing his qualifications and experience. He famously declared, “emilokan” (It’s my turn), asserting his readiness for the presidency. In response to the economic crises that sparked unrest across the nation, Tinubu accused powerful individuals of attempting to undermine his ambitions, with allies like Governor Nasir El-Rufai supporting his claims.
Despite enduring numerous political battles, Tinubu now stands on the brink of becoming Nigeria’s 16th president on May 29. His journey from a political kingmaker to a potential leader of the nation reflects a complex narrative of ambition, resilience, and strategic maneuvering in the ever-evolving landscape of Nigerian politics.
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