Although I am not exactly in the right frame of mind to express myself coherently about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first engagement with the media, I remain convinced that his responses to questions concerning the welfare of the people he is supposed to lead seem to indicate a lack of concern. His primary focus appears to be on accumulating more wealth and serving foreign interests, at the expense of Nigerians, many of whom defied challenges to ensure his emergence as the country’s number one citizen.
By Abdu Labaran
The disdain for his fellow citizens, particularly the poor, was palpable during yesterday’s media engagement. This should be enough to convince even his staunchest supporters that their idol does not care about their well-being, as long as he profits and satisfies external interests in the process.
The two most controversial and contentious issues currently facing the country are the removal of fuel subsidies and the proposed tax reform bill before the National Assembly (NASS). Regarding both issues, the president remains adamant that there is “no going back.”
Nigeria is supposed to operate a democracy, where the will of the majority prevails, and the minority, to which President Tinubu belongs, can only voice their opinions. However, in Nigeria’s “upside-down” democracy, the so-called winner takes all, and the majority is left to suffer. This situation is exacerbated by a state capture, where all instruments of coercion are controlled by the ruling elite at the center.
Unlike in more enlightened democracies, the heads of these apparatuses seem content to unquestioningly execute the president’s directives, no matter how harsh or illegal. One such official has, on at least two occasions, issued directives that appear excessively harsh, even when contrary to official policy.
A serving Senator from the Eastern part of the country recently lamented the state of affairs, describing the situation as a “total state capture.” He alleged that the president often acts unilaterally without informing the National Assembly of his intentions.
The removal of the fuel subsidy benefits no one but the president, his cronies, and select members of the NASS. It has triggered spiraling inflation, an excessive cost of living, and the rapid depreciation of the national currency. The funds supposedly saved monthly from the subsidy removal remain unaccounted for, known only to those in power.
Similarly, the unending loans from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), amounting to tens of billions of US dollars, are often embezzled by those at the very top, along with their allies in the National Assembly.
Under President Tinubu, corruption has reached unprecedented levels, with governance seemingly reduced to a self-serving venture for the president, governors, and members of the assemblies at federal and state levels. Reports have alleged that the presidency recently bribed members of the House of Representatives with N1 billion each as “constituency allowance” to dissuade them from booing the president during his budget presentation for 2025. These leaders, elected to serve the people, appear to prioritize their interests instead.
President Tinubu’s undemocratic tendencies became evident when he unilaterally spent billions of naira on a new official aircraft, a yacht, and a luxury Cadillac sedan without seeking approval from the NASS. When confronted, his Chief of Staff, Right Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, claimed that the president used his personal funds for these purchases.
It is an open secret that securing appointments as heads of revenue-generating agencies often involves millions of dollars exchanging hands. President Tinubu also singlehandedly awarded the controversial N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to a construction company owned by his associate, Mr. Gilbert Chagoury.
On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, I received calls and messages from two Lagos residents lamenting the pervasive poverty and hunger under the current administration. One, a married mother, shared that this is the first Christmas in 15 years she could not afford to prepare for the festivities. The other, a young woman in her twenties, described the hardship in Lagos as “doubly hot,” due to the economic distress exacerbated by the Tinubu regime.
President Tinubu’s actions suggest a sadistic and vindictive personality. His apparent pleasure in the suffering of the poor paints a grim picture of leadership devoid of empathy.
Dr. Garus Golobo, a dedicated member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has consistently criticized the administration’s failings. His interventions are driven by a genuine desire for democratic development, not political opposition, as he is neither an Atiku Abubakar nor a Peter Obi but a loyal APC member. Nigerians should support such voices advocating for accountability.
May God answer our prayers and free Nigeria from leaders who exploit the nation’s wealth for personal gain, leaving the true owners of the Commonwealth impoverished.
Labaran wrote from Katsina.
