Taxis, cows, shoes and Nigeria’s grass-to-grace politics

On September 18, 2010, Goodluck Jonathan embarked on his campaign for the 2011 elections, recounting his humble beginnings to the crowd in Eagle Square, Abuja. He recounted his early days in school, devoid of shoes or school bags, and the grueling daily journey to school through miles and rivers. This narrative resonated with Nigerians, and Jonathan secured victory in the 2011 elections with over 10 million votes.

Four years later, the man Jonathan defeated, Muhammadu Buhari, employed a similar approach, emphasizing his humble origins and current financial struggles. In 2014, he confessed to needing a loan from his bank manager for the APC's presidential nomination and expression-of-interest forms. Buhari boasted of owning around 150 cattle, stating he was never comfortable without them. He also listed several houses across Kaduna, Kano, and Daura, all acquired through borrowed funds.

Tinubu's story of toil and perseverance, as a taxi driver in the United States paying for his education, has also become a rallying point for his campaign. The Student Loan Scheme under his leadership has disbursed over N372 billion to over 1.6 million students nationwide. However, while Tinubu's story aligns with the grass-to-grace narrative, other factors such as tangible development records and performance in office are crucial in winning over the Nigerian electorate.