Open letter to Seyi Tinubu

BY ANTHONY CHUKWUMAH

My gut feeling tells me you are a pool shark like I am, love the thrill of a perfect break shot, the crackle of the balls going into the pockets, holding your cue stick, and the camaraderie of the posse enjoying the game, that exhilaration cannot be compared to what you must be feeling now.

Yes, Daddy is going to be the 16th president of our beloved and great nation, Nigeria! The journey, the battle was not for the weary despite the turbulence here we are, the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians hang on Daddy’s shoulders, the headwinds are coming on very strong, and the ship of state is in a dreary storm, belief in nationhood gone tatters, I say no more.

Why am I writing you? I watched you during the electioneering season and how you stood with Daddy through thick, thin and still now, my “kobo’’ is that there is more than a father and son relationship, that he listens and trusts you despite the immense power he welds as a kingmaker and now president-elect.

The positive side of the coin is you choose to keep your head on your shoulders, sieve out bootlickers and sycophants, pierce the “Aso Rock bubble”, be the one to let Daddy know the true state of things in the country, a genuine connect with the everyday Nigerian’s living condition, this is the time to be at your humblest best, decipher the zeitgeist of the populace and yes, let daddy know.

The flip side is to get carried away with the glitz, the glamour, the power, the private jets, and the trappings of “The First Sonship”. It would not last forever, guess you know that for a fact from your eight years as that in Lagos.

This is not the time to flaunt it on social media, Nigerians are feeling the pinch of unemployment and inflation. Curate the messages sent out, they should be filled with inspiration, this is not the time for excesses of glam pictures smiling and high five–ing, Nigerians are frowning, it’s really tough out there, this is the time you should get your daily pricing of an egg, cup of garri, beans, and loaf of bread so you empathise with the everyday Nigerian. Do not join in that bubble.

Seize this moment to be the best agent for your generation and Nigerians, I see a lot going on already that shows many around Daddy do not understand the mood of the nation, a huge show of “Bigman-ism” and “Agabada-ism”, same old faces that have held us back popping up around daddy, we need a break from these sharks and entrenched interests.

You need to let Daddy know he needs to speak “to us” not “at us” as he usually does, blimey, it would be splendid that post-May 29, he would have a studio round of (say) Channels TV, Arise TV, etc, cracking tough questions showing his intellectual dexterity and his famed humor instead of summoning them journalist in a boring Wike-esque style.

We need a humble president that connects with people, talks to us and explains to us. I go green with envy every time I see the British PM sync with his people, too much to ask for? The next 12 months are going to be tough, hitting the ground running is the least expected, it should be at supersonic speed, and every day should count! And can we please get the ministers and press advisers to stand and think on their feet while addressing us, their employers, I think it’s condescending smacking of a total lack of respect the way they have spoken to us in the last eight years.

I look forward to your official appointment as SSA domestic affairs, (Ivanka and Jared did a good job). My gut feeling is you will stand firm to let ’16’ know the truth and bridge the generational gap. Hey, he is daddy after all who changed your diapers?

Go do us proud. Stay level-headed and prayerful.

Chukwumah is an accountant, loves to read, and prides himself on his collection of rare coins