Since taking office in May 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has encountered a myriad of challenges that have raised questions about his effectiveness as a leader.
In 2022-2023, he campaigned on the mantra of “master strategist, grand economists, urbane and with mastery of man processes”
While it is essential to recognize that any presidency faces hurdles, several factors have contributed to perceptions of failure during his early tenure. Some of these factors are considered self inflicted, while some are truly inherited from his predecessor, Muhammed Buhari.
One of the most pressing issues facing President Tinubu is the state of Nigeria’s economy . A great part of this problem is caused by the President himself right at the podium of his inauguration in 2023. Ever since, the country has been grappling with high inflation rates, a depreciating currency, and rising unemployment.
The singular flex of removal of fuel subsidies, was intended to stabilize the economy, but has instead led to bizarre transportation costs, which has instigated a surge in the prices of essential goods. Many Nigerians were still battling to overcome this before subsidy on Power and Electricity was yanked off too, which abruptly sent millions of persons and families below the poverty line, which re affirmed Nigeria as the poverty capital of the world. The government’s inability to cushion the effects of these economic changes has led to widespread dissatisfaction, distress, tension and some pockets of revolts across the land.
Currently, Nigeria is sitting on a N153 trillion debt, 15% inflation, 6% unemployment, reoccuring national grid collapse, snail-speed GDP movements and excruciating services disruption nationwide. Only intentional leadership can pull any nation up from such depth of multifaceted challenges.
Again, security remains a dare issue in Nigeria, with various regions experiencing violence from insurgents, bandits, and ethnic cleansing in some cases. Despite promises to enhance national security, Tinubu’s government has struggled to effectively address these challenges. The ongoing threats to lives and property, —–
–predominantly in the Middle States, North West and North Eastern of the country– have eroded public, deeply, confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens, leading to a perception of failure in one of the most fundamental responsibilities of any government. As a government who would like to show the people of its resolve to eradicate insecurity, would take decisive and intentional steps to build public confidence. Instead, the President has done the opposite in many ways. For instance, the current Minister of State Defence, has been publicly indicted by some people that worked with him as a sponsor of bandits, one would have expected immediate and focused investigation on the matter including a Parliamentary Hearing. Several people, like Asari Dokubo, has used the social media, especially X, to incite violence against people and group. The looking-away attitude of the State suggests complicity.
To compound the situation, the nation adopting what they call Non-Kinetic Anti Terror model has blown terrorism off the roof. With an estimated ransom fee of N2.5B in 2025, how can terrorism be defeated. The National Security Adviser needs the sacking of the President, investigated and prosecuted for endorsing such a terror enabling method.
A terror group, few days ago, insisted that the Nigerian State paid them $7m for the release of 150 kidnapped victims in the Northern State of Kwara. This money, surely will be used to acquire more arms and sophistication needed to kidnap more victims. Technically, Buhari and Tinubu governments have endorsed kidnap-for-ransom by their attitude towards the monster.
Furthermore, Tinubu’s presidency has also been marked by significant political divisions. This was the case during the tenure of his Predecessor, Mohammed Buhari, but Tinubu who is supposed to come from the Civil Society point of views left many disappointed by some of the approach he has adopted.
President Buhari was so bad he, at a time, employed all the Service Chiefs were appointed from his Northern Muslim folks.
The political landscape in Nigeria is complex, with various ethnic and regional interests at play. This administration has faced criticism for perceived favoritism and a lack of inclusivity in governance. This has led to discontent among various groups, further complicating efforts to unify the nation and build a cohesive government. Unless intentional steps are taken by the President himself, the gap may continue to widen.
The combination of economic hardship, security issues, and political divisions has fueled public discontent among the Nigerian people. Protests , recently, have erupted in various parts of the country, with citizens expressing their frustration over rising living costs, inadequate government responses to pressing issues, forging of Bills at the National Assembly and complete capitulation the Legislative and Judiciary in the pit of the Executive arm of the State.
The brazen non-challancy by the State and it’s handling of these protests has been criticized, with many feeling that their voices are not being heard. This disconnect between the government and the populace has contributed to a growing sense of disillusionment.
Will cont….
By Ayobanna Ikeanumba
