₦airaland Forum

•With 559 days to election, search for a new president begins

Obinna Chima

With exactly 559 days to the 2023 presidential election, the search for a new leader for Africa’s most populous country and largest economy – Nigeria – has begun.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had early in the year announced Saturday, February 18, as the date for the 2023 general election.

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), had curiously opened up a new angle to the 2023 debate, when in an interview on the Arise News Channel, last week, hinted at the qualities a majority of Nigerians should consider in their choice ofthe next occupant of Aso Rock, the Presidential Villa.

IBB as Babangida is fondly called, had suggested that individuals in their 60s should be the focus of Nigerians as potential presidential or vice presidential candidates in 2023.

Further, IBB said such persons should have deep knowledge of the economy, must have contacts across the nation and must have been traversing the geo-political zones, marketing their acceptability and capacity.

“If you get a good leadership that links with the people and tries to talk with the people; not talking on top of the people, then we would be okay. I have started visualising a good Nigerian leader. That is, a person, who travels across the country and has a friend virtually everywhere he travels to and he knows at least one person that he can communicate with.

“That is a person, who is very vast in the economy and is also a good politician, who should be able to talk to Nigerians and so on. I have seen one, or two or three of such persons already in his sixties,” the Minna-born former military leader said.

With this submission, the former military president, was believed to have ruled out a former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, from the 2023 presidential run, because they would be in their 70s by the next election.

Owing to the mood of the nation, the expectation is largely that the person should be from the southern part of the country. But that is not a given, especially, when the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) argues otherwise in its search for a suitable presidential material.

However, given this situation, political pundits have identified a number of Nigerians, who would be under 70 years by 2023 and have the capability to add value to the society, judging from their contributions in either the public or private sectors.

Any of the identified individuals, experts believe, has the skills and competence to steer the country towards realising its much-talked about potential as well as address the socio-economic challenges that have over the years plagued the country.

Here are some eminent Nigerians who may very well fit the bill of IBB’s description of the person to be next President or Vice President in first name alphabetical order.

Yemi Osinbajo

Professor Yemi Osinbajo was born in March 1957 and is currently the vice president. A professor of law, he had his undergraduate degree at the University of Lagos, where he obtained a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) Degree in Law.

In 1979, he completed the mandatory one-year professional training at the Nigerian Law School, whereon he was admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of Nigeria’s Supreme Court. In 1980, he attended the London School of Economics, where he obtained a Master of Laws degree.

Given a different field of play, Osinbajo should have been the most eligible to take over from Buhari in 2023. First, he is a Christian of the Pentecostal denomination. Two, he is from the Southwest. Three, he is in his sixties. Four, he can combine both politics and the economy for a smooth run governance.

Although he is believed to have zero political base, which is understandable, it is also arguable that he might have learnt on the job, whilst his understanding of the nation’s economy is by every inch not in doubt.

Above all, having walked with Buhari for eight years, no one can sell the programmes of the administration better or able to sustain the programmes of the regime, whose CHANGE mantra is predicated on the tripod of economy, corruption and security – the three major monsters still confronting the nation till date, than Osinbajo.

Unfortunately, Osinbajo is believed to have had it pretty much rough with some of those believed to be controlling other levers of power – a friction that has created an irredeemable level of mistrust. That, of course, appears his only but major undoing as he continues to stealthily eye the presidency.

Abdullahi Sule

Born in December 1959, Abdullahi Sule, is a Nigerian entrepreneur, businessman and politician, who is the current Governor of Nasarawa State. He was elected governor in 2019.

He attended Roman Catholic Mission (RMC) Primary School, Gudi Station in 1968; Zang Secondary School in 1974, and later Government Technical College, Bukuru in 1977. He left Nigeria on a scholarship to study at Indiana University, Terre Haute, Indiana, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Technology and a master’s degree in Industrial Technology.

As a governor and businessman in his early sixties, he appears to fit the bill, especially, coming from a liberal northern region – North Central – and having managed Dangote Sugar at some point. But with the clamour for a southern president, it may be a tough call for him. Besides, will gamble his near certain re-election for the uncertain presidency?

Abubakar Bagudu

Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu is the eighth Governor of Kebbi State, who assumed office on May 29, 2015. The Governor has a lifelong commitment to public service and the proven leadership skills to make government work for the people of his state. Prior to his election in May 2015, he represented Kebbi Central at the Senate.

Under his leadership, the state entered into a partnership with the Lagos State government on the establishment of a commodity value chain that will give a quantum leap to food processing, production and distribution. This partnership, which is the first of its kind in the history of the Nigerian agricultural sector, is aimed at bringing about national food sufficiency and food security.

He had his tertiary education at the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto State, where he obtained his B.Sc in Economics. He proceeded to the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he had his Master of Science in Economics and thereafter, went to Columbia University,where he obtained his M.A in International Affairs.

However, coming from a core northern state – North West – it is almost a difficult gamble at a time southern presidency is the issue.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede was born in September 1966. He is a Nigerian banker, investor and philanthropist. He is the former Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc as well as the founder and Chairman of Coronation Capital Limited, its affiliates, Coronation Asset Management Limited and Trium Limited.

He founded Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) in 2014, and he is the Co-Chairman of the United Kingdom-Nigeria Capital Market Task Force and a board member of TCX Investment Management Company Netherlands. He hails from Edo State and studied law at the University of Benin, where he graduated with LLB degree in 1986. He holds an MBA awarded jointly by the London School of Economics, New York University, and HEC Paris.

Although boasts sound economic background, his politics is however nil. It may be another hard nut to crack, albeit not impossible.

Akinwunmi Adesina

Akinwunmi Adesina was born on February 6, 1960. An economist, who is currently serving his second term as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), had previously served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Until his appointment as Minister in 2010, he was Vice President of Policy and Partnerships for the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). He is the first Nigeria to be elected AfDB President and hails from Ogun State in South-west Nigeria.

Clearly, Adesina has distinguished himself in the business world with sound economic literature, nothing however shows he is able to manage the political side of governance. He also stands a good chance, coming from the Southwest.

Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote was born on April 10, 1957. He is the President of the Dangote Group,which has wide interest in the manufacturing sector. He is Africa’s richest man with an estimated net worth of $11.1 billion as of May 2021. Dangote hails from Kano State and obtained his bachelor’s degree in business studies and administration from Al-Azhar University, Cairo.

Many Nigerians believe that if given the opportunity, he could reflect the successes recorded in his companies, which he established as a small trading firm in 1977, and presently have grown into multi-trillion-naira conglomerate with many of its operations in Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and Togo, among others.

The Dangote Group also dominates the sugar market in Nigeria and is a major supplier to the country’s soft drink companies, breweries, and confectioners. The Dangote Group is on the verge of completing its refinery. But, apart from being from the north, Dangote is believed not to have the temperament for politics, although he has friends across all interests. He is currently building one of the largest refinery and petrol chemical plant in the world in Lagos.

Amina Mohammed

Ms. Amina Mohammed was born in 1961 in Kaduna State. She is presently the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group. Prior to her appointment, she served as Minister of Environment in Nigeria, where she steered the country’s efforts on climate action and efforts to protect the natural environment.

Mohammed first joined the United Nations in 2012 as Special Adviser to former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with the responsibility for post-2015 development planning. She led the process that resulted in global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

She began her career working on the design of schools and clinics in Nigeria. She served as an advocate focused on increasing access to education and other social services, before moving into the public sector, where she rose to the position of adviser to four successive Presidents on poverty, public sector reform, and sustainable development.

There’s no gainsaying that this is coming at a time the call to give women a chance has attracted a global attention. Whilst working at the UN might give her some political leverage, being from the north is a major mark down.

Aminu Tambuwal

Aminu Tambuwal was born in January 1966m and he is the current Governor of Sokoto State. He served as the 10th Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. He attended Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, where he studied Law, graduating with an LLB (Hons) degree in 1991. He completed his one-year compulsory legal studies at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, obtained his BL and was called to the Bar in 1992. Tambuwal is a leader who understands how to manage the country’s diversity and he has friends across the country. As a former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, he is well position to manage diversity

Atedo Peterside

Atedo Peterside, born in July 1955, is an entrepreneur, investment banker, and economist. He is the founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Anap Business Jets Limited (Anap Jets), and Anap Foundation. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the City University, London.

He went on to obtain an M.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1977. Peterside founded the Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited (IBTC) in February 1989 at 33 and served as the bank’s CEO until 2007.

In 2007, IBTC Chartered Bank Plc merged with Stanbic Bank Nigeria Limited to form Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, and he was elected Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank in October 2007, and he resigned in 2017.

Although he has always held strong political views, it doesn’t make him politically inclined, much as he is from the southern part of the country, which seeks to produce the next president.

Babatunde Fashola

Babatunde Raji Fashola was born in June 1963 and presently the Minister of Works and Housing. He served two terms as Governor of Lagos State from May 29, 2007 to May 29, 2015. In 2015, he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

He studied law at the University of Benin, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B.(Hon), degree in 1987.

Fashola, a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, was the second law graduate from the University of Benin and the first member of the Nigerian Law School graduating class of 1988 to be conferred with the professional rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

With his stellar performance as governor of Lagos State, which put the state on the world map, Fashola is easily one of the few generally adjudged as fit to run Nigeria, almost effortlessly.

Apart from boasting capacity and competence, he is also a southerner from the Southwest to be precise. He is loved and respected by his friends for his discipline and political maturity. He is an exceptionally brilliant mind and aptly fits the bill.

Benedict Oramah

Dr. Benedict Okey Oramah has been the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) since September 2015. Under his leadership, the pan-African institution has been playing a leading role in supporting businesses and countries on the continent.

Oramah was the Executive Vice President in charge of Business Development and Corporate Banking from October 2008. In that position, he supervised the business development departments and units of the Bank, namely, Trade Finance and Branches; Project and Export Development Finance; Syndications and Specialised Finance; and Corporate Finance and Advisory Services.

He joined Afreximbank as Chief Analyst in 1994 and was promoted to the position of Senior Director, Planning and Business Development in 2007. Prior to joining Afreximbank, he was an Assistant Research Manager at the Nigerian Export Import Bank from 1992.

He holds M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in agricultural economics, obtained in 1987 and 1991 respectively, from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He bagged, also, a B.Sc. degree in agricultural economics, from the University of Ibadan in 1983. There’s no doubting the fact that he has sufficient private sector experience, but same cannot be said for politics.

Bukola Saraki

Dr. Bukola Saraki, a former President of the Senate, was Governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011; and was elected to the Senate in 2011. Saraki was born in December 1962, in London. He attended Cheltenham College, a public boarding school in the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1981.

He then proceeded to London Hospital Medical College of the University of London from 1982 to 1987, where he received a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.

Saraki worked as a medical officer at Rush Green Hospital, Essex and had been a Director of Société Générale Bank (Nigeria) Limited. In 2000, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Saraki as his Special Assistant on Budget.

In addition, Saraki had since the passing of his father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, taken over the political machine of the man mimicked the strongman of Kwara politics and has continued to manage it.

It is evident that Saraki has grown not only to understand the nuances of both the private and public sector, but also has a good hand of the game of politics. Indeed, many people believed IBB had Saraki in mind, when he gave his description of those eligible to lead Nigeria in 2023.

Nothing, however, affirms Saraki’s capacity to effectively lead Nigeria than his four years as Senate President. Although from the North Central region, Saraki is one presidential hopeful believed to stand astride between the South and the north and suitable for the job, if and when a northern joker is to be thrown up in 2023.

Chukwuma Soludo

Chukwuma Soludo was born in July 1960. An economics professor and former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, he is presently the factional gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. He is also a member of the British Department for International Development Advisory Group.

Soludo has been a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund, the University of Cambridge, the Brookings Institution, the University of Warwick, and the University of Oxford as well as a visiting professor at Swarthmore College (USA). He has also worked as a consultant for a number of international organisations, including The World Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the United Nations Development Programme.

A southerner from the East and combining both the private and public sector experience, Soludo is currently obsessed with his governorship ambition in Anambra State and may not have considered the presidency as an option. However, he also fits the bill.

Godwin Emefiele

The current Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele was born in August, 1961. He holds a B.Sc. in Finance (1984) and an MBA in Finance (1986), both from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is also an alumnus of Executive Education at Stanford University, Harvard University (2004) and Wharton School of Business (2005).

Having run Nigeria’s leading bank, Zenith Bank Plc., for eight years and the Central Bank for six years, he knows exactly what is wrong with the economy. His Anchor borrowers programme has greatly helped poor farmers all over the country, particularly in the North where is well liked.

He is also well regarded in the Southwest where he was born and known as Omoluabi. Emefiele speaks Yoruba fluently. And he is Igbo speaking from the South-South. Fitting perfectly to the clamour for an Igbo speaking president. Emefiele would be a good fit for president.

Godwin Obaseki

Godwin Obaseki was born in July 1957 and is currently the Governor of Edo State. Before becoming governor, he had served as the chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team inaugurated by former Governor Adams Oshiomole in March 2009.

He holds post graduate degrees in both Finance and International Business and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers. Obaseki served as an executive board member of several private companies including Afrinvest.

As governor and businessman, he clearly has both the private and public sector experience. Perhaps, he needs to do more in terms of disposition and capacity to manage tendence. But, he is pretty much close to the rudimentary requisite.

Herbert Wigwe

Herbert Wigwe was born in August 1966. He is the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, one of Africa’s fastest growing financial institutions. Wigwe has a degree in accountancy from the University of Nigeria, an MA in Banking and Finance from the University College of North Wales (now Bangor), an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London, and is an Alumnus of the Harvard Business School Executive Management Programme.

However, apart from his relationship with politicians, his political credential is nothing close to the requirement of the office of the president except he learns on the job. His current job also gives him contacts across the divides and interests.


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https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/08/09/2023-who-leads-nigeria/

They obviously intentionally omitted Yahaya Bello, Nigeria's next president of Nigeria.

It must be from the south

feezay86:
They obviously intentionally omitted Yahaya Bello, Nigeria's next president of Nigeria.

Walk up....... Presidential position no be for children

theFilmtric:
It must be from the south

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