THE ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU’S PRESIDENTIAL QUEST AND THE ‘EMILOKAN’ CONCEPT
By Prof Ojo Emmanuel Ademola
On the 15th November 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, led governors of the party, ministers, National Working Committee members, party leaders, countless party members and such a massive crowd to Jos, Plateau State for the flag off of the party’s presidential Campaign and handed over the party’s flag to Asiwaju.
In a build-up to the critical moment of political campaigns in the Country, a series of misconceptions, innuendos and conjectures have been waived around an otherwise innocent (but divinely inspired) concept of ‘Emilokan’, masterly conjured by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), the presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2023 election. The ensuing hullabaloos generated by the concept among players in the political circles, once again, signpost the mixed personality of the proponent on the one hand and the dexterity cum sagacity of inherent political skills by BAT on the other hand. Within the conceptual framework of ‘Emilokan’, another Socrates of our time is regenerated in BAT with divine abilities to envision the progressive path to self-discovery and a rebirth of a new Nigeria, which, when adequately distilled, have been manifestly captured in the 2023 Renewed Hope Manifesto.
The concept, derivatively derided by myopic and visionless oppositions, has broader and deeper positive meanings and applications.
‘Emilokan’, subjected to intellectual explorations, can be broken down to “Emi” (meaning “l”/ “My” literally in Yoruba) and “Lokan” (telling “Turn”/ “Next” literally in Yoruba). When the prefix (“l”/”My”) and the main subject (“Turn”/”Next”) are fully expressed or combined, one gets more apparent perspectives of “My Turn” (It’s my turn); “I’m Next”; “I step up”; “I take charge” (I’m responsible), etc. And in building a relationship with the political subject of Asiwaju’s presidential aspiration, BAT is expressly inferring that: “I’m offering myself to serve the Nigerian people with a single-minded proposition of being responsible, capable, dedicated, equipped, ready, programmed and envisioned, among other positive attributes of service. BAT’s propositions on the ‘Emilokan’ concept are in cognisance of his well-known antecedents in public administration, which have spanned over decades, culminating in superlative performances at the State and National levels. Unlike his opponents, Asiwaju has chatted his political paths in several ways that the entitlement mentality of ‘Emilokan’ can be justified to a more considerable extent, and it will amount to a disservice on his part if he couldn’t lay claim to the concept. The justifications for this audacious position are many, viz:
a) Resilience is the hallmark of dedicated leadership, and Asiwaju has demonstrated ample examples of this attribute in his political career. Right from the Military days when democratic tendencies were being suppressed to the NADECO days when the progressives were hauled into exile by the Military juntas, BAT had consistently been a pillar of succour and a rallying point for the liberation forces. When the post-1999 era returned, there were notable contours to democratic practice in the Country. Asiwaju has been a resilient pillar for the positive spreading the progressive idealisms among the geo-zones in the Country, from the NADECO-backed Alliance for Democracy (AD) that produced mostly the progressive Governors of the South West (SW) zone to its audacious incursion into Edo State in South-South (SS) region as well as Kogi State in the part of the Central zone, BAT’s desires for progressive-developmental programmes of the Nation can’t be understated. He was bold, dedicated, focused and resilient in bringing consistent democratic dividends to a more significant part of the Country due to his resilience of Nation building. That the Emilokan concept eventually surfaces in the current dispensation is a product of the strength of the energetic Asiwaju. The term -Emilokan- must be clearly understood from this perspective.
b) Selfless Sacrifice to the realisation of set objectives and goals evidently subsumes the concept of Emilokan from a general perspective. A clinical study of Asiwaju’s political disposition reveals centrally that self-sacrifice can produce an Emilokan mentality. Having served at various governance levels and yielded political opportunities to others to explore, even at the expense of his discomfort, BAT has thoughtfully developed the practical pedagogy of building political bridges across zones.
At the expense of the SW political advancement, BAT had offered the then AD party the realisation of Nuru Rubadu’s presidential aspiration. It was one selfless sacrifice that hardly resonates with the political feelings of some leaders in SW. BAT had also offered the Action Congress (AC) platform to the current People Democratic Party’s candidate, … Atiku…. to realise his presidential ambition even with the enormous political backlash of the time. In a similar selfless manner pre-2015, Asiwaju entered his SW’s political group (AC) into an alliance with other regional progressive parties to form the present All Progressive Congress (APC) with the sole purpose of wrestling political power from the incumbent PDP at the National level. The selfless sacrifice produced brilliant results, with APC clinching the presidency and majority in the National Assembly. Truthfully, BAT’s strategic insights into the futuristic political direction of the Nation eminently earn him the exclusive right of Emilokan’s philosophy based on his visionary leadership. To this extent, Emilokan’s mantra is justifiably earned even beyond the SW shore.
Beyond the attributes’ characterisation of the concept (Emilokan), one can also bring to bear Asiwaju’s inherent qualities as a leader of leaders in political administration as an intellectual prognosis for Emilokan’s stand. As I have posited in my series of write-ups on BAT’s phenomenal, the qualities that the next Nigerian president should possess must revolve around the need to hire the right person to solve the country’s myriad of problems and make our democracy a model for other developed democracies in the world. Nigeria must move away from a terrible position of weakness and ignorance and toward something that all Nigerians must personally engage in order to reap the vast benefits of democracy.
I have also reasoned that a more profound comprehension of a brand-new paradigm in which economic uncertainty is transformed into an exciting opportunity the BAT’s presidency will afford all Nigerians from the first day if Nigerians elect him in 2023. Wisdom and democratic growth-enhancing opportunities will abound in this emergence. There is scholarly evidence that Asiwaju continues to be unstoppable and superior to other candidates in this race when comparing his performance in this area of governance to that of other candidates. In this race for Nigeria’s next president, there is only one master wealth creator, one equaliser of opportunities, one lion, one honey badger, one elephant, one tiger, and one singular political winning strategist: Asiwaju.
In personal development qualities, BAT is still a one-of-a-kind, unrivalled achiever who is positioned to lead the country out of a place where it will no longer be limited by what we already know and how we usually respond to challenges in life. Leadership will take an active role in ensuring that the Renewed Manifesto is implemented to benefit all Nigerians under Asiwaju as president. BAT stands head and shoulders above the other presidential candidates in this political race. If we are motivated to select our most tried, experienced, and competent candidates, Asiwaju is the ideal candidate for the presidency. That qualifies us all as ‘Emilokan’ in the long run.
Governance is about finding solutions to problems, either by identifying them and addressing them or by making plans to address issues handed down from previous administrations. The most successful, tested, and qualified candidate for the position is at the centre of the current leadership debate as the election draws closer. Under the upcoming administration, Nigerians will be able to identify the qualities that make a competent, tested, and experienced leader, giving them a fundamental understanding of governance.
The most crucial issue could be a triple-sort one in which, just before the cycle is over, the most successful democrats, generally recognised for their ability to deal with Nigerian interests, win. Under this leader, Nigeria must reach new economic, technological, and democratic development heights. This democracy has been developing in Nigeria’s current republic since 1990, and the leadership has changed several times during elections. If elected in 2023, BAT will undoubtedly lead Nigeria with self-assurance and excellence without being hypocritical. We are reminded by the current ‘Renewed Hope’ Manifesto that leaders must be skilled at creating opportunities for all people and take responsibility for their actions for the nation and its citizens to continue prospering.
Upon reflection, one can allude to the extent that Asiwaju made intelligent decisions with his money, investing in a group of talented people by identifying them and positioning them to be incredible leaders who would help the majority of people benefit from democracy, the Emilokan concept has been made to assume a larger-than- thou posture that calls for deep study. For the APC’s victory in 2015 and subsequent elections, BAT submitted his right and selflessly discovered the experience of bringing progressive ideology to mitigate failure risks. Such political contributions brought about the defeat of the incumbent, and a newly formed party took the country’s leadership for the first time in the history of Nigeria’s democracy; what an eloquent achievement to the posturing of Emilokan’s philosophy!
At the Plateau’s event, BAT, in his speech later interpreted in Hausa by his running mate, Kashim Shettima, praised Nigerians for believing in the APC to lead the country to progress after years of backwardness under the PDP administration. He noted that the campaign was starting in Plateau, which appropriately shows Nigeria’s vast potential. He put a progressive winning concept of a visionary he is to speak; I quote: “One can see greater prosperity and jobs in an economy humming with activity. From the farmer in the rural area to the city boy in a bustling urban centre, each will have productive work to do and a decent home to return to. One can see a Nigeria where all, who want to, will be able to build a decent life from the fruits of their individual and collective endeavour. From this fine vantage point, we see how far we have come. We also see how far we must go and the road that will take us there.”
Consequently, it is time for the six geopolitical zones to show BAT their appreciation by giving him a lot of votes from all six zones so he can become Nigeria’s next president. My opinion is that Asiwaju’s significant contribution to progressive political ideology in Nigeria before and during the current Democratic administration is unrivalled.
As an enabler of Emilokan’s exponent, Asiwaju has been a prominent advocate for fiscal and political reform since the beginning of this democracy. He set up a type of Treasury Single Account in Lagos State before it became a national policy. That is cutting-edge thinking. He talked about the supply and consumption economy rather than the typical supply and demand economy. One uses up the economy, while the other deals with production. He executed the acknowledged economy as a compelling enemy of debasement methodology for straightforwardly archiving each monetary exchange inside the framework. That is the way to move toward national development.
The political idea that Asiwaju had of “Renewed Hope” has the apparent value of creating opportunities for all. By balancing other factors to maximise an individual’s potential to impact the nation’s economic development significantly, the leading global north countries are beginning to achieve equal opportunities. The “Renewed Hope,” an integrated national development framework for creating opportunities, exemplifies BAT’s commitment, which also translates to the pervading nature of Emilokan’s concept. It is a winning strategy for all Nigerians.
Conclusively, BAT’s motive of Emilokan’s philosophy shall implement an exemplary Nigeria strategy review, make sense of the turbulent digital environment, and eliminate the legacy structures and management approaches that stifle innovation and break free from previous cultural norms. BAT will unleash the creative potential of his employees and team members with high performance; Reimagine leadership for a great Nigeria by taking advantage of the full potential of established and emerging technologies.
Lashing on the overriding potentials of the raving concept (Emilokan), it is sufficient to look beyond the pecuniary interpretation of the word and embrace the complete ideals that would usher a positive direction for the Country in 2023. If elected in 2023, BAT’s presidency will guarantee renewed hope, security, and a prosperous nation through the Renewed Hope Manifesto to improve Nigerians and make Nigeria a developed country. BAT’s intention for Nigerians is an extraordinary blessing from above, for him to use his extensive, desirable, and illustrious leadership abilities. Inherently, Nigeria cannot make a mistake given the breadth and depth of exemplary and inspirational accomplishments, experience, competence, and other leadership qualities exhibited by BAT over the years. Nigerians should vote overwhelmingly for Asiwaju, the proponent of Emilokan’s concept, as the next president in 2023, adopting a prosperous mindset for Nigeria to become a great nation.
Prof. Ojo Emmanuel Ademola
