100 days in office: Nigerians await actions on Tinubu’s promises

A few days ago, President Bola Tinubu crossed the symbolic 100 days in office but there was no fanfare because the day coincided with the delivery of judgement on the petition against his victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

After 13 hours of judgement, the court ruled that Mr Tinubu, who is in far-away India, remains the president. The panel dismissed all the petitions against him and his vice, Kashim Shettima.

With the tribunal judgement settled and all ministers fully in place, DAILY POST reviews some of the promises contained in the Renewed Hope Manifesto. The attention will be on low-hanging fruit promises.

However, President Tinubu did not put a specific timeline to achieve some of the promises.

The President already removed the fuel subsidy regime which Nigerians are still waiting for measures that would cushion the effect of its removal. He has equally signed into law the student loan bill but students are yet to get the loans while some schools are increasing fees.

Ending Almajiri and out of school

Across some of the major cities in the North, children with bowls in their hands roam the street, begging for food and money. They are called Almajiri- students sent to live with Islamic teachers.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan tried to reform the Almajiri system by building schools for them, however, the schools have been abandoned due to the inaction of the Buhari administration. In all, there are over 13.5 million out-of-school children in Nigeria according to several reports.

In his manifesto, President Tinubu promised to set up a task force, to be headed by a special czar to address the problem of out-of-school children.

“A task force headed by a special czar will be created to address this problem,” the portion of his manifesto reads.

Schools are resuming in September, and Nigerians are still waiting for the special czar to address the problem of out-of-school children.

Setting up special anti-terror battalion

According to data from SBM Intelligence, over 600 persons have been killed within the first 45 days under Tinubu. Most were killed by bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, ethnic militias, armed robbers and other non-state actors.

President Tinubu had promised to set up an anti-terror special battalion to deal with terrorists. In the manifesto, the battalion will have special forces units.

“Highly trained and disciplined anti-terrorist battalions (ABATTS) with special forces units will be created,” the portion reads.

While Nigerians are waiting, different groups continue to kill across the country.

Freeing police from VIP services

Nigerians have experienced different Inspector Generals of Police making pronouncements of withdrawal of police as escorts to VIPs. All the pronouncements have failed to yield the desired outcome.

Again, in the manifesto, Tinubu promised that police will be freed from such duties, while such responsibilities will be for the men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Surprisingly in July, the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun ordered the withdrawal of the Police Mobile Force, popularly known as MOPOL from VIP guard duties.

The directive of the IGP seems not to tally with the promise of President Tinubu, who promised the withdrawal of all police personnel.

Nigerians are still waiting for the fulfilment of that promise by President Tinubu.

Ending oil theft

In the past couple of weeks, Nigerians have witnessed accusations and counter-accusations between the military and the men of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a company owned by ex-militant, Government Tompolo.

It would be recalled that the Federal government contracted the firm for oil pipeline surveillance.

However, President Tinubu had promised Nigerians that he would “establish a Special Enforcement and Monitoring Unit.”

Nigerians are yet to see that special monitoring unit; they are left with Tompolo and the Navy making accusations and counter-accusations.