2023 PRESIDENCY IN NIGERIA: TINUBU, AGE AND HEALTH BY FRANCIS TEMIONU

By FRANCIS TEMIONU

The rate at which the Nigerian elite go for medical treatment abroad has become contentious. To the ordinary man, it is an ostentatious display of wealth. But to those who can afford it, it is for efficiency and security.

In a society where virtually all hands are soiled with corruption, and where people can also do anything for money, you don’t take human beings for granted when it comes to health and security matters.  

There have been reported cases of cotton wool or medical scissors being carelessly forgotten in patients’ stomachs after surgical operations. We also have cases of hired killers in medical overalls and masks in some hospitals. If a president could therefore take the precaution of going all the way abroad to get treated for radiculopathy for the sake of security and efficiency, will it not be suicidal for the likes of Asiwaju Bola Amed Tinubu to handle their health and security matters with levity? Does medical treatment abroad signify life-threatening illness or old age, therefore is synonymous with disability or inefficiency?  

When Tinubu was the governor of Lagos state, he made his age known to all and sundry, he counted off his age. On the 29th of March this year (2022) he turned 70. Is this age too old for one to contest the presidency of his country? Were Ronald Regan and Joe Biden not in their 70s before becoming presidents of the USA? A little research will also reveal other similar cases. Therefore age is not a barrier; experience and competence are what matter.   

Psychologically, Tinubu’s tough masculinity is the sign of a rugged and courageous fighter. If you say he looks older than his age, this is understandable. There is hardly any difference in his looks in pictures taken long ago and recent ones: naturally, he has always looked older than his age. Therefore, it is better to discuss the real issues than to vainly make an issue from trivial matters.

Tinubu has never claimed to be the most handsome man in Nigeria. His claims are that: (1) He knows Nigeria and Nigerians better than his co-presidential aspirants; (2) He is more experienced and exposed both at home and abroad; (3) He knows how to solve Nigeria’s problems better than all the other aspirants, and therefore is cocksure of his ability to do the job better than all of them. Although partisanship does not allow some members of the ruling elite and co-aspirants to accept these facts, the masses have faith in Tinubu.  

We know the power of propaganda. We also know that many Nigerians are more propagandists than Joseph Goebbels (minister of propaganda for the Third Reich under Adolf Hitler). No doubt, the propaganda campaign against Asiwaju on his health and age spread to the remotest parts of this country. But, unfortunately for the propagandists and their beneficiaries, Asiwaju has rendered their efforts ineffective. He has also quintessentially convinced the masses through his indefatigable drive for the presidency in 2023.   

The scope of Asiwaju’s political structure, networking and acceptability in this country today are clear indications that the dilapidated rostrums of age and health mounted by propagandists to bring him down are ironically doing more disservice to the propagandists.

Unless we want to economize the truth, the name “Tinubu” has become a household name in this country today. From the look of things, he is the president that Nigerians are waiting for. But APC must be careful not to throw its golden opportunity into the oblivion of inordinate ambition.

From the propaganda showcase of Messrs Partisan and Hypocrite, Asiwaju is old and sick, therefore not fit for the 2023 presidential race! But this is quite contrary to the truth.

Deep thinkers and fair judges are showing more and more support and interest in Asiwaju Bola Amed Tinubu’s aspiration for president

Their massive support for him derives from his antecedents. His continual socio-economic and infrastructural turnaround of Lagos State and his stand as a detribalized nationalist are also some of their reasons for not turning back.