President Bola Tinubu passed the symbolic 100-day mark a few days ago, but there was no celebration because the day coincided with the delivery of a ruling on the appeal challenging his victory at the Presidential Election Appeal Tribunal.
After 13 hours of deliberation, the court concluded that Mr Tinubu, who is now in India, remains president. All petitions against him and his vice, Kashim Shettima, were dismissed by the panel.
With the tribunal decision finalized and all ministers in place, DAILY POST examines some of the promises made in the Renewed Hope Manifesto. The focus will be on promises with low-hanging fruit.
However, President Tinubu did not provide a timetable for fulfilling some of the commitments.
The President has already eliminated the gasoline subsidy regime, but Nigerians are still waiting for steps to mitigate the impact of its removal. He also signed the student loan bill into law, but students have yet to get loans, and some colleges are raising tuition.
Ending Almajiri and out of school
Children with bowls in their hands stroll the streets of some of the North’s main cities, begging for food and money. Almajiri are students who have been assigned to live with Islamic professors.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan attempted to reform the Almajiri system by constructing schools for them; however, the schools have been abandoned due to the Buhari administration’s inaction. According to various sources, there are approximately 13.5 million out-of-school children in Nigeria.
President Tinubu promised in his platform to form a task team led by a special czar to address the issue of out-of-school children.
“A task force led by a special czar will be formed to address this problem,” according to a section of his manifesto.
Schools resume in September, and Nigerians are still waiting for the special czar to handle the issue of school-age children who are not attending.
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 witnessed various Inspector Generals of Police declare the pullout of police as VIP escorts. All of the announcements have failed to produce the expected results.
Again, Tinubu vowed in the manifesto that police would be relieved of such responsibilities, leaving such responsibilities to the members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Surprisingly, the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, ordered the withdrawal of the Police Mobile Force, or MOPOL, from VIP guard duties in July.
The IGP’s directive does not appear to correspond with President Tinubu’s promise to withdraw all police personnel.
Nigerians are still waiting for the realisation of the promise by President Tinubu.
Ending oil theft
Nigerians have witnessed accusations and counter-accusations between the military and the men of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a company founded by ex-militant, Government Tompolo, in recent weeks.
It should be noted that the firm was hired by the federal government to monitor oil pipelines.
President Tinubu, on the other hand, had told Nigerians that he would “establish a Special Enforcement and Monitoring Unit.”
Nigerians have yet to see that special surveillance unit; instead, Tompolo and the Navy have been hurling allegations and counter-accusations.
