For Bola Ahmed Tinubu, history will decide whether he gets his first and possibly only shot at the presidency on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
It’s the season of politics in Nigeria, and all the major players and actors have since begun plotting how they will emerge victorious at thE polls.
For Tinubu, whichever way the election goes, he is set to make history. But the former Lagos state governor and strong man of Lagos politics appears will have it no other way other than a win that will fetch him the opportunity to have his name written as one of Nigeria’s presidents.
What will a Tinubu presidency look like? Who will make up his cabinet, and what policy direction will he adopt? It is fair to make deductions based on his antecedents and past actions. A hint at what to expect is how he recently conducted his session at Chatham House in London, where he delegated a good chunk of his allotted time to his team.
So, who makes up Tinubu’s close caucus, and what will a Tinubu presidency look like? Let us look at five major figures who are likely to be in Tinubu’s cabinet. But first, who is Tinubu?
Who is Tinubu?
Tinubu is a two-term former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Known by different appellations: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Lion of Bourdillon, Jagaban, and the King Maker, he now wants to be a king too!
Likely ministers in a Tinubu presidency?
Kayode Fayemi
Initially seen as an opposing voice against Tinubu, Fayemi has gone on to show he is very much behind the former Lagos State governor. During the All Progressives Congress primaries, he was one of the first aspirants to pull out in support of Tinubu’s candidacy, despite having campaigned vigorously for himself. If Tinubu wins, Kayode will undoubtedly be a man to watch.
Nasir El-Rufai
The accidental public servant and Kaduna state governor is definitely one of those who will feature prominently in Tinubu’s cabinet picks if he wins. Contrary to initial reports in the media that he did not see eye to eye with Tinubu, recent events since the 2023 political race began last year have proven otherwise.
In the run-up to the APC presidential primary last year and a few days before the primary, agitation was rife that Abdullahi Adamu, the party chairman, was making moves to install Senate President Ahmed Lawan, ostensibly with Buhari’s support. El Rufai led the coalition of northern governors to counter this. Adamu still went ahead to make the pronouncement that the party had adopted Lawan as its consensus candidate, but it held no water as the primaries still held.
The fact that El Rufai was also one of the close associates Tinubu picked to answer questions on his behalf at Chatham House speaks volumes of the relationship.
With such an involvement, it is certain that El-Rufai will play a prominent role in Tinubu’s presidency and also in his cabinet.
Abdullahi Ganduje
The Kano state governor has been a notable face around Tinubu for many years now. He has regularly appeared on countless trips with Tinubu. Recall that Adamu was present at the Abeokuta meeting where Tinubu made his famous “Emi lo kan” speech. Adamu has also consistently accompanied Tinubu on several important trips to broker agreements and seal political deals over the last two years.
Raji Fashola
The celebrated former Lagos State governor was hailed as a “super minister” following his appointment as Minister of Power, Works, and Housing by Buhari following his sterling performance as Lagos State governor.
He has, however, been one of the few notable exceptions to the political campaign for the 2023 presidential election. This, however, does not imply he is totally out of the picture. If anything, it simply shows he is one man to look out for.
While other ministers like Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and the Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Tayo Alasoadura, all resigned to enter the race for various elective positions, Fashola stood out as the few who didn’t buldge.
Should Tinubu clinch the victory, Fashola is one man you can be sure has a spot waiting for him in the government.
Members of the Lagos State Governor Advisory Council
The Lagos state elite group that determines who gets what within the Lagos APC will certainly have a role to play in the formation of Tinubu’s cabinet should he become president. Tinubu will certainly be looking to pull in some of the individuals (who are known as his close allies anyway) into the federal cabinet.
