Nigeria, Africa's largest economy and most populous, will welcome a new president.
Nigeria's National Independent Electoral Commission announced on March 1, local time, that Bora Tinub, the candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress Party, won the general election held on February 25 and was elected president of Nigeria, which is expected to officially take office in May.
During his tenure as governor of Lagos State, Nigeria, Tinubu improved security and economic conditions to make the state the economic hub of Nigeria. Supporters hope that Tinubu will "replicate" the Lagos experience into the presidency and lead the country out of the quagmire.
Looking forward to replicating the Lagos experience
In the February 25 general election, all 18 candidates presented their own reforms, all arguing that Nigeria faces too many problems and needs a drastic reform.
Tinubu stood out among these candidates.
Supporters call Tinobu a pioneer of reform, the "godfather" of Nigerian politics, and capable of transforming Nigeria. Mr. Tinubu, a political veteran born in 1952 who studied in the United States as a young man, said he earned a living by washing dishes in restaurants during his studies. After returning to Nigeria, he first worked in the petroleum industry before entering politics in 1992. From 1994 to 1998, Tinubu was forced into exile in the United States for opposing the Abacha junta. Upon returning to Nigeria, he served twice as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.
During his eight years as Governor of Lagos State, Tinobu promoted policies such as infrastructure development, law and order enhancement, and improvement of public services. During this time, Lagos State developed into the economic center of Nigeria.
On this year's campaign, this governor's resume became Tinobu's biggest highlight. "In the past, bodies could be seen on the roads of Lagos, traffic was chaotic, there were robberies day and night," he said in a campaign video, "I have changed Lagos from a dangerous, horrible, crime-rampant place to a relatively safe and crime-free place today." ”
February 20, 2023, local time, Lagos, Nigeria, pedestrians on the street. Photo/Visual China
After Mr. Tinobu's victory, supporters said he could replicate his experience in governing Lagos State across Nigeria.
According to Reuters, Tinobu's proposed reform plan includes investing in public infrastructure to create jobs; At the same time, reduce corporate taxes to attract investment, and plug tax loopholes to increase fiscal revenue. In addition, he proposed to take huge fuel subsidies and use the funds for infrastructure, agriculture and social welfare projects.
Tinubu said he would set up a watchdog to protect the country's oil pipelines and attract new investors with tax incentives. In addition, although Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, it relies on imports of refined petroleum products. Tinubu offered to strengthen domestic refining capacity through joint ventures with private investors.
In the security realm, Tinubu offered to recruit more soldiers and policemen while raising their salaries and equipment levels. He said "counterterrorism battalions" and special forces would be deployed to fight terrorists and armed gangs, but he also wanted the military to get involved in community activities to "win hearts and minds."
Cheta Nwanze, chief partner of think tank SBM Intelligence, said that curbing the brain drain is one of the first things the new president needs to focus on, and he needs to work to restore people's confidence, ensure that everyone's income is not eroded, and ensure social stability and security, all of which will take time and cannot be achieved in the short term.
Kemi Abilo, president of the Lagos Resident Association, also said: "If nothing is done to slow down the rate at which doctors and other health workers are leaving the country, then in a few years, I am not sure if there are still doctors in the country." ”
Rampant oil theft plagues major oil-producing countries
Four days before polling day in Nigeria's general election, Ayeni Adu, 36, who gave away his refrigerator, sofa and other furniture and appliances at home, was about to leave Nigeria with his wife for Britain. Adu told CNN that there were too few jobs in Nigeria and he chose to leave for higher incomes.
According to a 2022 survey by the African Poll Institute, 69% of Nigerians said they would be willing to move abroad with their families, up from 39% in a survey conducted by the Institute three years ago.
Of Nigeria's population of more than 210 million, more than 60 per cent are young people under the age of 25. The country's economic situation in recent years has not been able to provide enough jobs for these young people.
On February 27, 2023, local time, Lagos, Nigeria, soldiers maintain street safety. Photo/Visual China
In 2013, Nigeria's economy surpassed South Africa to become Africa's largest economy. But since then, Nigeria has experienced two recessions due to oil production, oil prices and the epidemic. The country's GDP in 2017 was only about two-thirds of what it was in 2014. The World Bank estimates that 95.1 million people in Nigeria lived in poverty at the end of 2022.
The Nigerian economy is heavily dependent on crude oil exports. Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa, with proven oil reserves ranking second in Africa and eleventh in the world; Proven natural gas reserves rank first in Africa and tenth in the world.
However, rampant oil theft has cost Nigeria a lot. Frequent theft of oil and petroleum products between 2009 and 2020 caused Nigeria to lose 619.7 million barrels of oil, worth $46 billion, as a result of today's newspaper. Some oil companies have had to abandon their wells and equipment and invest in offshore rigs to avoid theft.
A pre-election poll of voters by Nigerian think tank SBM Intelligence found that the security situation, economic recession and corruption were the top three issues for voters, followed by the cost of living and unemployment.
In the midst of controversy, he called for a common ride
In addition to his status as a politician, Mr. Tinobu is a wealthy man who claims to have made his fortune in real estate and has also ventured into various fields such as the media.
Opponents accuse Tinubu of corruption, saying he embezzled government revenues while he was governor of Lagos. Tinubu denies the allegations.
On March 1, 2023, local time, Abuja, Nigeria, Tinubu (center) celebrates with supporters after winning the election. Photo/Visual China
Although the Nigerian election is over, the controversy surrounding the general election continues. Several political parties announced their rejection of the election results and said they would challenge them in court. According to local media reports, there was chaos and violence in the election voting, especially in Lagos, the stronghold of Tinubu, where some voters queued all day but were unable to vote, and some election officials in charge of monitoring did not show up at polling stations.
Several political parties in Nigeria held a press conference on February 28 to say that there were irregularities in the counting of votes, and asked the Election Commission to declare the election invalid and hold a new election. Following the announcement of the results on March 1, various protests against the elections took place across Nigeria.
On March 1, Tinubu appealed that his opponents would "join hands" with him in the face of a growing security situation and an economy that needed to be boosted.
Beijing News reporter Chen Yikai
Edited by Bai Shuang Proofread by Wu Xingfa