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By: Inuwa Bwala
It is a universal trend in governance that new policies: however pragmatic or ambitious, meet initial misconceptions or resistance.
Some criticise because they do not understand and others out of sheer mischief. But for whatever reasons, resistance to the introduction of new policies cause the teething problems of a new government to often linger.
It takes consistent explanations and citizen re-orientation for policies to be fully imbibed by the citizens, but challenges arising from mischief are often sustained.
In some climes, it takes longer, period and in others a quicker time to overcome such teething challenge. Nigeria presents such an environment where a sophisticated picture of mischievous antagonism to government policies is a vogue.
This is why antagonisms beyond election times seem to be the initial dilemma of the Tinubu/Shettima administration.
There is no doubt that they have introduced many new policies than previous regimes within the same time span, but they are experiencing more obstacles in translating the policies into reality: no thanks to the seeming politicisation of issues surrounding the policies.
Given the degree of rot it inherited, coupled with the seeming forfeiture of public confidence by the last administration, one may say, one year is not enough to evaluate the performance of the government,. The difficult circumstances created by a government nurtured by their party, makes it difficult to understand and appreciate their intentions.
Be that as it may, there is a lot of misinformation about government intentions, which tend to becloud explanations and distort public orientation.
The fundamental point people tend to miss is the fact that there is a gestation period for every new policy, which requires patience and tolerance for its benefits to manifest.
Depending upon the volume of explanations available to the citizens and the position from which they interpreted, the risks of criticism are higher, where political alignments differ.
It is perhaps in realizing the need for synergy in overcoming challenges to policies and in order to demystifiy old narratives, about the workability of new alliances, that Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima strengthened the bond, that saw them emerging as President and Vice President.
Keen observers of events could probably see through that bond, long before it became open,: tracing the very intimate relationship between the duo, in the challenging days of Governor Kashim Shettima in Borno, who was facing isolation as an opposition from the then Federal Government.
Observing the duo as they exchanged visits, seeking each other’s inputs, and developing political reachout programmes, it was clear at that point that the future held something deeper.
Some of Kashim Shettimas feats in Borno, were the trabspositions of Tinubu’s legacies in Lagos. It makes it safe for one to surmise that Kashim Shettima is Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s alter ego, given what he did in Borno by empowering allies and formulating drastic policies, and leaving behind enduring legacies
It is therefore easy finding Shettima, explain President Tinubus’ direction and the potential benefits, off hand, under this Presidency.
It may be apparent, that, the Vice President may be finding things difficult, in the face of emergent cabals, that have been trying to drive a wedge between him and his principal, or overshadow his growing popularity.
It is an open secret that fifth columnists and seeking psrtnershios outside, others may be working to create regional rivalry and yet others are plotting to strengthen the etnic renegade formula in power sharing, but the Vice president has proved to be indomitable.
Kashim Shettima has been endowed with exceptional oratory capabilities, such that, he often does not require prepared scripts to make public speeches or any form of rehearsal to make appearances.
Kashim Shettima is the perfect delegate of Mr. President and has given very impressive account of himself at public meets. He is a delight to watch and listen to. Such characters are very difficult to suppress.
It is oerhaps a matter of time, before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands the intrigues playing out against Shettima, and make adjustments as they enter the second stanza.
The clouds may be gathering, and the early warning signals noticeable. Alliances and re-alliance are being worked out, all in the bid to severe that bond, that binds Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Kashim Shettima, and it will require the tenacity of their common purpose to defeat their foes.
Just speaking my mind.
