In exactly one month from today, May 29, the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be taking over the reigns of this country from outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.
Unlike in 2015 when it took the retired General nearly seven months to form a cabinet while government institutions and businesses stagnated, I have no doubt that the President-Elect would have already picked his cabinet members and the list is already in his pocket, just waiting to be sworn-in, and the 10th National Assembly inaugurated.
I am also optimistic that unlike the choice made by his predecessor, the next set of ministers would have strong political backgroud, in addition to being professionals or bureacrats in their first calling.
The ministers should not only be able deliver their official mandate, but must be the guardians of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their respective constituencies, especially in states where the opposition is ruling.
On top of that, a President Tinubu, must not fold his arms and leave the affairs of the Party totally in the hands of Governors and a few privileged individuals walking the corridors of power, with no electoral value, to hijack the APC and ultimately kill it as had been the case in some states, especially here in the North.
I have no doubt that the Asiwaju will, from day one, hit the ground running to tackle some of the pressing problems that the country is facing. He should not however overstretch himself because of high expectations from Nigerians, and neither should he succumb to blackmail from any section or groups to favour them unduly.
The biggest mistake that the President -Elect would make is to start listening to especially religious groups who would put pressure on him to implement their agenda, using the previous failed argument of the Muslim-Muslim ticket as weapon of intimidation. They have already been demystified and the worst they promised came to pass as nothing but a lion wearing dentures.
He must realise that we have passed that stage and that he has the mandate of the majority of citizens to deliver dividends of democracy to the nation and not to accord priority to certain interest groups because of their heckling or having high connections.
It has also been the tradition of leaders at all levels to have their own kitchen cabinets, but he must be aware that not all those who may be close to him or have access to him have the clout to offer genuine advice without putting their interest, first.
Just be fair to all and May God be with you!
- Iyawa is former Ambassador of Nigeria to Mexico
