The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appears to be on a path to self-destruction, with policies likely to undermine his 2027 re-election bid. His numerous anti-people reforms are expected to work against him, regardless of any rigging tactics that might be employed to retain power.
Just recently, on Monday, November 4, 2024, Finance Minister Mr. Adebayo Olawole Edun informed the new Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, that there would be “no reversal of the administration’s economic policies,” particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the cessation of foreign exchange assistance for the naira.
Nigerians vividly recall the World Bank’s projection that Nigeria’s economic reforms would take fifteen years to yield results. This effectively means fifteen more years of hardship for the average Nigerian citizen.
International criticisms of Tinubu’s administration continue to emerge. Citizens of neighboring Niger expressed prayers for Nigeria to find better leadership, while in Ghana, a pastor called Nigeria the “most corrupt country in the world.” In the United Kingdom, a woman expressed her frustration, blaming “the idiot Nigerians” for electing Tinubu. In the United States, Nigerians in a pop poll remarked that they would not return to the country due to the poverty “caused” by Tinubu’s administration. Respondents cited “corruption” and “bad governance” as additional reasons.
The Northern Region of Nigeria, which strongly supported Tinubu’s election, has come under scrutiny. Tinubu, a former Lagos governor, was projected as a capable leader who would steer the country in the right direction. However, many now feel he has only enriched himself and his allies. Notably, Tinubu introduced extravagant retirement benefits for governors, which he implemented in Lagos before ending his tenure. It’s for this reason that many voters from his region turned instead to opposition candidates from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), supporting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, respectively.
Despite Tinubu’s promises, power outages have worsened in the North, with recent outages lasting up to ten days in some areas, including Kano, once the commercial hub of the country. The administration attributed these outages to bandit activity, though many believe it to be intentional. The recent Cabinet reshuffle, which retained the underperforming Minister of Power, only added to public discontent.
In a troubling incident, several young Northerners were detained in Abuja prison cells for over three months, enduring harsh bail conditions before their eventual release, thanks to local and international pressure.
Shortly after assuming office, Tinubu pledged to provide 24-hour power nationwide, adding that voters should not re-elect him if he failed to deliver. This unkept promise will not be forgotten, especially in the North, come election time.
Additionally, reports surfaced on social media regarding the 12th national grid collapse of 2024, with Northerners bracing for even worse conditions. Social commentator Charlie Boy, also known as “Area Fada,” commented sarcastically on social media, framing Tinubu’s presidency as the Yoruba community’s revenge for the North electing Buhari. His message emphasized the frustration over poor leadership and reflected a sentiment of mutual “punishment” through disappointing leaders.
Nigerians are increasingly choosing to leave the country, as evidenced by the high traffic at major airports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Kano, where crowds seek an escape from deteriorating living conditions.
Concerns have also grown regarding restrictions on free speech, with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbatokun, warning that social media would be monitored to prevent anti-government content from spreading. Such a policy appears to target Northern Nigerians, who significantly supported Tinubu in the last election.
Despite the apparent failures of Tinubu’s administration, some sycophantic figures, like Doyin Okupe, continue to praise him, seeking opportunities for personal gain at the expense of acknowledging the current economic crisis.
Nigeria’s current leadership appears more focused on personal enrichment than on governance, leaving citizens to suffer from unchecked poverty. Recently, the President and Vice President were seen at a lavish ceremony, dancing, while ordinary Nigerians grappled with the poverty and hardship their policies have exacerbated.
May divine intervention spare Nigerians from the mess created by the present administration, driven by Western interests that seem indifferent to the nation’s well-being. Many Western countries would prefer to have Nigerians working abroad as cheap labor and extracting the country’s resources for their benefit.
The Nigerian people deserve leaders who will prioritize their well-being rather than leave them to suffer under misguided policies and leadership.
Labaran wrote from Katsina.
