Tinubu seems disconnected from reality and has brought the arrogance of being Lagos’s “landlord” to Aso Rock. His decision to travel in a convoy of 100 to 200 cars, even if some are political followers, at a time of national crisis, appears to be a misguided display of power or dominance. This is one of the most foolish actions he has taken. He not only indulged in this behavior himself but also allowed his affiliates and cabinet members to do the same. Being wealthy before becoming president does not justify such excesses, especially in the face of widespread poverty.
This very attitude led to unrest among his own supporters, and if the opposition had been more patient and not prematurely claimed victory, the APC might have lost Lagos. I hoped this would be a wake-up call for Jagaban, but it seems he is so blinded by his wealth, he has become completely alienated from the people.
In his speech, he should have announced immediate cuts in government spending, reduced the number of aides, called out members of the National Assembly for their greed, and demonstrated solidarity with the people by introducing measures such as subsidized mass transit and food items. Selling off of at least four of the nine presidential jets and setting up commissions of inquiry into various issues would have been prudent actions.
Instead, he remained haughty, presenting his mistakes as achievements. For instance, the funds given to corrupt governors could have been used to purchase buses for the states, branded as “Tinubu buses,” and earn significant political mileage. Establishing federal government-backed farm settlements in safe areas could also have been a positive move. His focus on policies like SMS, SMEs, and poverty alleviation—formulas that have failed in the past and are likely to fail again—shows a lack of understanding of what needs to be done.
Tinubu needs to engage with grassroots representatives to understand the true situation on the ground. While his policies may eventually have positive effects, how many people must suffer before these benefits materialize? How many will even still be alive?
Additionally, Mr President did not address the health sector issues, such as the lack of medical supplies, empty hospitals, or the need for emergency subsidies for medical equipment.
Tinubu must now see himself as a servant of the Nigerian people rather than a feudal lord of Lagos. If he fails to make this shift, his enemies and the opposition will find ways to undermine his government and its efforts, potentially causing even greater harm over time. The era of using wealth to project strength is over; the president must wake up and smell the coffee, someone needs to wake him up to reality.
Dare Adeleke writes from Ibadan
