The proverb “a tortoise crawls but is very wise” highlights the idea that slow and steady perseverance can lead to success, even in seemingly difficult situations.
It emphasizes that wisdom isn’t always about speed or immediate action, but rather about careful planning, consideration, and a measured approach.
This proverb simply exemplifies President Bola Tinubu. Hate him or like him, he is the master of the game in Nigeria’s political system .
Being in politics for over 30 years has given him the time to study, examine and analyse the terrain he finds himself after leaving the Exom mobil as Treasurer.
Something must be very distinct about him: what goes on in his head , how does he see people around , what keeps him going, how did he come to a conclusion that you forgive your enemy ahead even when they betray you? What does he perceive of his enemies when he later forgives them? Does he have trust issues when they come back to him? Or is he more interested in loyalty than trust? What keeps him ahead of his peers in the political ring? Is Bola Tinubu such a good political boxer who understands his opponent and plays to their weakness Like Bash Ali which many have said is the greatest boxer of all time?
Sometimes I wonder if President Tinubu was alive during the days of Jesus and was a politician. I am very sure he would have negotiated with the Roman empires why Jesus Christ should not be crucified, bring everyone to the table and let them see why that Judas Iscariot is just like all greedy persons who are sometimes like politicians but if properly spoken to they will know why he did what he did, and that his interest can be protected and brought back to the fold. I am so sorry if this analogy gets my Christian brethren angry, but sometimes as a political scientist, theories are what begets discourse, discourse begets conceptualisation, conceptualisation begets norms and rules, this quotes was a friend of mine, Anuli Aniebo, a very intelligent lady I met of recent.
As a student of political science, I remember some of the key factors I was taught in Pols 401 that can influence how politics is being perceived which I think President Bola Tinubu has mastered in his over 30 years of trading the stock of politics in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
* Political Behaviour: Simply means how individuals and groups make political decisions, engage in political processes, and participate in elections. This theory shows that President study his opponent both friends, perceived enemies , perceived friends. His very calculative, his analytical skills of human behaviours need to be studied. Bola Tinubu speaks to your political soul, which makes you more vulnerable with him , and be sure he knows what to do to always have your back , it might take time but he makes sure he keeps to his promises . In simple form this theory is saying in politics, no permanent friends or enemies in politics there are only permanent interests, so far you can understand their political behavioural patterns.
* Political Systems: Understanding different types of governments, such as democracies, dictatorships, and monarchies. But in this case we stick to democracy because that is what we practise here in Nigeria. President Tinubu knows that Democracy can accommodate his tactics and strategies of how politics can be played, it is all about the people. A good example is how he turned the politics of Lagos around with people at the centre of discussion. Bola Tinubu made us understand that grassroots politics is the bedrock of any politician: if the people are with you then you are good to go. A case of Ambode former governor of Lagos state vs the APC members in the state , you can draw your analysis from that.
* Political Institutions: Examining organizations like legislatures, courts, and bureaucracies. You see this theory is the driver of the agenda of President Bola Tinubu . The president knows that to achieve his agenda he needs this set of people. Let me ask you as a contractor who is working on a project, won’t you do everything within your means to make sure you have a successful project as far as is within the scope of legality and people centric? The president needs the legislature , the judiciary even if they have to disagreed on some issues but the ultimate is that everyone must be on the same side to achieve the goals.
Evolutionary theory: this approach views politics as a process of adaptation to changing environments , where different political structures and behaviours are determined based on their ability to promote survival and reproduction of groups . If you look at this theory in literal meanings you might not get the story, but look at it from the lenses of economic and political survival .
* President Tinubu took a risk on this theory when he said no more subsidy and floating of Naira, it only takes a bold and forward thinking leader to do this. The economy and political cost implication is too risky in a country which majority of her revenue is from crude oil. But to be different you have to ruthless in your principle and policies in as much it will yield a good result. Not all politicians are good leaders . A politician sees from the lenses of interest, a leader sees from the lenses of Human centred lenses which brings about empathy, respect and understanding to be able to lead more effectively.
* Social contract: President Tinubu knows that for governance to get closer to the grassroots, more money needs to be pumped into the society , infrastructure needs to be available for the people. Tell me the last time you heard any governor going to borrow because the money is now available to them, something they never had in previous administration, they are able to pay salary , infrastructure is going on in different parts of the country.
The long and short of my story is look at all these theories and see for yourself why wouldn’t people defect to APC.
Politics 401 needs to be reviewed. A Nigerian political scientist needs to sit down with President Bola Tinubu and tap into his brain and ask him how does he do these things. In Bola Tinubu school of politics no one is an enemy, everyone is a potential friend that has needs and interest , sit down with him and your interest will be considered irrespective of your political affiliation.
Ademola Lawrence, a journalist writes from Abuja.
