Governance or Conquest? A Critical Look at Tinubu’s Leadership and the Illusion of Economic Reform

In an incisive analysis, celebrated journalist Abraham Ogbodo argues that President TinubuTinubu ’s governance is marked more by a conqueror’s mindset than a genuine commitment to service, leaving Nigerians to question the true cost of leadership in a time of crisis. With promises of reform overshadowed by ostentation and ineffective policy, Ogbodo challenges the notion that rationalization equates to meaningful change, calling for a leadership that prioritizes practical solutions over hollow proclamations._

Rationalisation is not specific performance. Governance is more scientific, quantitative than it is analytical. Leaders manifest their prowess by way of practical solutions and not by endless proclamation of some good things to come. The people cannot roast in perpetual anticipation of a better tomorrow. Every case of pump price increase has been justified by the same fiscal theory. That is, the need to free more resources to build a better economy for the general good. That has remained elusive as the people continue to wait forever for the coming of Godot. The character of tomorrow is defined by the events of today. Anything less is baseless faith which is not a factor in critical thinking or purposeful governance.

If truth be told, Tinubu, flowing from the *Emilokan* mindset, had entered on May 29, 2024 as a conqueror and not as a saviour or solution provider. He had just eloquently exhibited a capacity to meet his purpose with the outcome of the 2023 presidential election. And so, he was a kind of more concerned about making a point about his proven prowess than appreciating the objective conditions on ground with a view to creating a consensus. In the circumstance, anything that caught his fancy became instant law or at least a policy.

It didn’t matter where Tinubu stood previously on the matters of today as it became clear to others that the drive to take over power did not equate the drive to offer service. He ruled magisterially on the leadership of the National Assembly using loyalty to his cause as the sole consideration. He quickly followed up with the putting together of one of the most incompetent and mediocre cabinet in the history of Presidency in Nigeria. Again, the sole consideration is loyalty.

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I ask, what had changed to make the removal of fuel subsidy inevitable in the current fiscal calculations? My answer is that the only change that has happened is Tinubu becoming President. He is a negotiator and conqueror at the same time and depending on what is at stake, he may decide to negotiate or conquer for his survival. And having negotiated or put all the institutions of state and a fair society including part of the media under conquest, Tinubu has only chosen to stretch full length like a king cobra to bare his fangs roam the jungle unchallenged.

Let’s not get it twisted. Nobody who loves this country wants the payment of indeterminate subsidies to continue forever. But it must at least follow a realistic pattern. You don’t drain the body of blood and essential fluids and still claim to be in a surgery operation to restore life. Where are the cushions? If public electricity is fairly guaranteed, the roads/rails are good and safe to support mass transit, I guess persons and businesses will be better disposed to assimilate the sermons on subsidy removal and repent from their old ways. Persons and businesses are dying daily from this ill-advised surgery and people are out there pushing against what is obvious.

By far more annoying is the unmitigated ostentation in government.

Nothing about the conduct of the key actors shows we are in emergency. I do not know how to capture it for clearer understanding. But it is like while using your right hand to gesticulate and preach production and conservation to the congregation, cupped in your left palm is a dose of laxatives to free your bowels for enlarged consumption. It underscores the immorality of asking the people to remain on their tetracycline medication to stop their bowel from moving too much to precipitate stooling. It is unfair.

What leadership vision supports the level of profligacy in the Tinubu’s Government. It is at this time that N20 billion should be used to build a house for the Vice President. The VPs before him, where were they staying? It is at this time too that the presidential fleet on land, water and in the air must be recharged with new acquisitions running into tens of billions. You don’t make peace or vote for life brandishing a sharp cutlass and a loaded AK47.