Africa’s most populous country has a new president. He is considered a powerful politician, was previously governor of Lagos – and played a role in a US drug investigation nearly 30 years ago.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been sworn in as the new President of Nigeria. The 71-year-old politician’s election was marred by allegations of irregularities and fraud. Candidates from the two major opposition parties do not recognize the election and complain of massive irregularities.
A Muslim from the southwest of Africa’s most populous country, he succeeds 80-year-old former general Muhammadu Buhari, who is stepping down after two terms. He is considered the powerful brain of the ruling APC party for many years. His inauguration was attended by several heads of state from African countries, as well as representatives of the United States, Great Britain and China.
Nigeria has big problems
The situation for Nigeria and its 219 million people looks bleak: Jihadists like the terrorist group Boko Haram are active in the country’s north, and armed gangs are kidnapping people across the country. Separatists are fighting in southeastern Nigeria and thousands are dying in clashes over fertile land in the center. Police and security forces have been accused of serious human rights violations.
With its rich oil reserves, Nigeria used to be the continent’s leading producer, but today faces fuel shortages. The state is heavily in debt and the people suffer from high inflation.
Statisticians predict the unemployment rate will top 40 percent this year. However, Nigeria remains one of the continent’s largest economies.
“The Godfather of Lagos”
Tinubu played a role in US drug investigations in the early 1990s. At the time, the Justice Department assumed that Tinubu’s US accounts had stopped heroin-trafficking funds. The allegations were not finally clarified and Tinubu denied them. He agreed with US authorities to waive part of the money in the amount of $460,000.
Between 1999 and 2007, Tinubu was the governor of Lagos, the country’s largest city. His nickname is “The Godfather of Lagos”. He is credited with developing the city into one of Nigeria’s most important economic hubs. Many Nigerians now believe that he can improve the entire country’s economy.
However, analysts are skeptical because only a small portion of the population is behind the president. He won the election in February with 36.6 percent – but only 8.8 million votes in absolute terms.
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