Tinubu’s first term a ‘short sacrifice’ for long-term national progress – Oyo commissioner

By Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan

A Federal Character Commissioner from Oyo State and former Commissioner for Education, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, has called for strong northern support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, describing it as a “sine qua non” for national stability and progress.

In a newly published opinion piece on Sunday titled “Tinubu Re-election: North Support a Sine Qua Non”, Olowofela highlighted Tinubu’s economic policies, social interventions, and political restructuring efforts, arguing that his administration has made significant strides despite facing inherited economic challenges.

Olowofela pointed to Tinubu’s decision to deregulate the oil sector, allowing market forces to dictate prices, as a pivotal economic reform. He cited the long-troubled Port Harcourt refinery, which Tinubu’s administration has reportedly revived, calling it a major achievement in stabilising the nation’s economic engine.

“Fundamentally, Tinubu has declared privatisation in the oil industry and let market forces determine the price based on the basic law of supply and demand,” he wrote.

He compared Tinubu’s economic philosophy to that of Mahatma Gandhi, who once urged Indians to embrace self-reliance in textile production. According to Olowofela, Tinubu’s approach to economic reengineering is aimed at long-term sustainability rather than immediate political gain.

The former Commissioner for Education in Oyo State also praised Tinubu’s commitment to education, highlighting the establishment of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial assistance to underprivileged students seeking higher education. He recalled past scepticism about the South West’s emphasis on education but noted that the region’s educational progress has now become a national benchmark.

“In order to help the nation in this ‘mad rush’ for education, Tinubu has set up NELFUND to ensure that indigent but ambitious students have access to loans for their education. Kudos to PBAT,” he stated.

Olowofela traced historical political alignments, particularly the role the North played in stabilising Nigeria’s democracy. He recalled how, following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by MKO Abiola, Nigeria was plunged into political turmoil. This, he argued, led to a power-balancing arrangement in 1999, when both major political parties fielded Yoruba candidates, resulting in Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency.

He further noted that after Obasanjo’s two terms, power shifted to the North with the election of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who, despite his untimely death, was succeeded by his southern vice president, Goodluck Jonathan. The eventual formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) enabled another shift back to the North with Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency.

According to Olowofela, this political tradition suggests that once elected, a president is typically given the opportunity to serve two terms. He emphasised that the North has historically played a decisive role in presidential elections and should continue this role by supporting Tinubu’s re-election.

Addressing the economic hardships currently facing Nigerians, Olowofela insisted that they are the cumulative result of past administrations rather than Tinubu’s leadership, which has been in place for less than two years.

“Economic hardship in the country is the cumulative reality of previous administrations, not someone who has spent less than two years in power. Obviously, Tinubu has put a halt to ‘business as usual’ and is reengineering the nation,” he argued.

He urged Nigerians, especially those in the North, to view Tinubu’s first term as a “short sacrifice” in the broader political cycle, stressing that supporting his re-election is in the best interest of all geopolitical zones.

“After darkness comes a glorious light. Let’s give Tinubu a chance to reorder the nation. Enough of political blackmail,” he concluded.

With Nigeria’s political landscape already heating up ahead of the next presidential election, Olowofela’s comments add to the growing discourse on Tinubu’s leadership and the prospects of his second-term bid.