IT'S THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA
conscious of the fact that we are dealing with the same party platform so there will be some level of continuity.
The past few months have seen the justling for positioning, the bravado of close allies to the presidency, and the intrigues and shenanigans of power brokers ever ready to hijack the political system, structures, and processes. This administration's success depends significantly on managing these complexities while focusing on what is best for Nigeria.
This administration must overcome these challenges and start from day one to show Nigerians and the world that it is ready for business – the business of leading Nigeria in a democratic way to give all dividends of democracy.
It is imperative that from day one, this administration is perceived as serious, focused , and dedicated to improving the quality of life of Nigerians. The first time is always the best time to create a lasting positive impression, and this administration must shape public perception of what it wants to project from today and maintain that.
This inauguration is a significant milestone in our democratic consolidation . It is the 7th consecutive inauguration. Although our democracy has its faults, this is a feat worthy of celebrating. Nigerians are celebrating and hopeful for a better future. Ordinary Nigerians want a government that works from the new sheriffs in town. Let us consider three agenda items the government may focus on and three roadblocks we must contend with immediately.
The first agenda item is that the government must create a clear roadmap for Nigeria's critical issues. They must have definitive roadmap on energy subsidy, insecurity , fixing the economy, food security, power, technology, education, health, corruption, unemployment, and others. These roadmaps should be clear for all Nigerians to see how the government defines the problem and its strategies and definitive action to solve the issues. Nigerians are expectant, and rightly so and want to know ab initio that the government is serious about dealing with the myriad of problems they are encountering daily.
The second agenda item is that government should articulate critical policy statements on many contentious issues the past government shied away from. These issues include the removal of fuel subsidies, parallel foreign exchange regime, debt profile, national census , public workers' agitation for pay increases and improvement of service, approaches to tackling poverty and health inequality, insecurity (successionist agitations, farmer-herders crisis, terrorism, kidnapping and armed banditry), and environmental degradation inclusive of climate change.
The third agenda item is inclusiveness. Given the prevailing perception of marginalisation by some groups in the country and the divisive nature of the last general elections, the critical job of this administration is first to create unity in the country.
The need for national unity and viability is more important now than ever in our history. Without a substantive Nigerian nation , all our best efforts and fancy programmes will come to nought . Now is the time to pull the country together by being inclusive in the government. Thankfully, the Vice Presidentelect at every occasion has insisted there is no islamisation or ethnic dominance agenda.
As good as these agenda items are, their success depends on how the government navigate the many roadblocks that are evident in truncating them. These roadblocks are the quality of the cabinet, money to finance the government, and national reconciliation.
The quality of the president's cabinet can be a roadblock or a source of strength. Acknowledged there are political IOUs to be paid; however, it should not be with the country's future and the government's reputation. It is not in dispute that whether a president succeeds or fails, or whether he is remembered by history or not, is determined
by the quality of his cabinet. A cabinet of mediocre, failed former political office holders, inexperienced, ill-informed, without character
and dishonest persons will be a terrible roadblock to the success of the incoming administration.
A cabinet of knowledgeable, honest, competent, and experienced persons will shore up the profile of the government and its acceptability. A core cabinet team of professionals of ten persons around finance, economic planning, law and order, education, infrastructure, power, trade and investment, ICT and innovation with a clear vision and mandate will send strong signals that this administration is ready to deliver service. A competent chief of staff to the president will strengthen the coordinating capacity of the presidency.
It is no more news that Nigeria is in a deep financial crisis. The Nigerian external debt is more than $40bn plus domestic debt of over N41 trillion and Nigeria spends most of its revenue on servicing debts. Nigeria's primary source of foreign exchange earning is crude oil. And Nigeria's finances follow the fluctuations and instabilities of the price of crude oil in the international market.
The outgoing government borrowed heavily to improve infrastructure, and the dividends of this infrastructural development to the economy
are more medium to long-term than shortterm. The money to run the government and provide the dividends of democracy promised to the electorate may not be there to achieve all the promises. This takes us to the urgent need for diversification of the economy as a solution .
The need for the government at all levels to creatively raise revenue without putting new tax burden on the people is urgent. This new administration must look for ways to increase revenue and cut down on waste, corruption, and the cost of government. It must make revenue mobilisation a focal point of the administration.
The third roadblock is national reconciliation. The success of this administration depends on how the constituent parts of Nigeria come together in peace and unity. Government must douse the tension in the country and address all secessionist tendencies, and it must intentionally heal the wounds caused by actual or perceived injustices.
This administration must pursue total national reconciliation as a critical building block of nationhood, law and order , and progress.
There is no doubt that Nigerians today are revelling in the new dawn of a new era. Tinubu-Shettima's presidency carries the hopes of millions of Nigerians who feel that this is the beginning of a fresh start, and that this administration will get things right this time.
I implore the presidency to live up to the essence of these hopes and champion a genuinely united Nigeria where millions of Nigerians will look to the future with happiness. Today is the first day of the first four years of your administration. Let the ride begin!