Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a presidential candidate from Nigeria, rarely speaks with the media directly.
At a recent, widely reported event in London, all press inquiries were handled by assistants.
Perhaps frustrating for those in attendance, but more so for Nigerians who are clamoring for answers before the election in February—not just on the crucial policy issues of insecurity and unemployment, but also on how Mr. Tinubu accumulated his own wealth.
He finally broke his silence and consented to a BBC interview.
Given that both Tinubu and Buhari are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, I questioned him as to how they would vary from the current Buhari administration (APC).
Mr. Tinubu claims that Mr. Buhari has “done his best.”
“I am unique. Bola Ahmed Tinubu here. I was Lagos’ mayor. I’ve created a contemporary state that is capable of standing alone as a nation. I oversaw a very cautious administration.
Despite being given credit for changing the way Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial center, is organized, the issue of his personal riches and the source of it is very contentious among Nigerians.
It is impossible to miss Mr. Tinubu’s large residence if you are in the affluent Lagos district of Ikoyi.
It is alleged that he has benefited from the state ever since his term as governor ended in 2007. He assured me that these claims are unfounded.
He identifies it as envy.
Another significant issue is insecurity in Nigeria. Does he possess the answer?
“The West hasn’t yet been satisfied enough with a Buhari administration to sell us the required weapons and technology. Alternatives must be considered, such as widespread voluntary army enlistment to genuinely purge the system.
He means by that strengthened military and security forces.
And if he had to pick between Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who is well-liked by young Nigerians, and former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is running as the primary opposition candidate?
He is clear in his opinion that neither candidate is adequate for the task.
They lack the same level of competence as everyone else. They have no prior experience. Except for myself, none of them are qualified.
Naturally, Nigerians will have the final say.
