Category Nigeria News

A political activist, Usman Bugaje, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership style, claiming the President is detached from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians because he is surrounded by sycophants.

Bugaje spoke on Thursday during Channels Television’s special Democracy Day programme titled ‘Nigeria’s Democratic Journey: An Inter-Generational Conversation on Building a Better Nation,’ commemorating 26 years of unbroken democratic rule in Nigeria.

The event included notable Nigerians, like a former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi; a former minister, Frank Nweke; a social entrepreneur, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, a son of the late MKO Abiola, Jamiu Abiola; Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, and a member of the House of Representatives, Bello El-Rufai.

Bugaje accused the President’s inner circle of shielding him from the harsh realities the citizens face.

“It looks like the President has been completely encircled by sycophants. They don’t allow him to see the realities, they don’t tell him the truth. But if he knew what was happening in society, he would be ashamed of himself. As far as I know him, I never thought he would allow this situation.

“He is now there, wallowing in the comfort of the Villa, talking in ways that show he doesn’t even know what is happening in this country. If he knew, he would not be doing the kind of things he’s doing now,” he said.

The former legislator decried what he described as “prosperity without production” and said Nigerians were no longer swayed by polished speeches but were demanding tangible results.

“We have now graduated from just listening to speeches that are meant to be politically correct and sound good. What we are interested in is not the speech, but the action — the policies, the way the government is run. That is what will change the lives of the ordinary people,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Nigerians Got Civilian Rule In 1999, But Yet To Get Real Democracy — Fayemi

Bugaje expressed concern that Nigeria’s democracy, in its current form, had failed to serve its core purpose — to uplift the people and ensure their welfare.

“Democracy is about people, designed to serve the people. The real question is: are the people being served?” he asked, adding that, “the political economy we are running now is impoverishing the people”.

‘What Kind Of Democracy?’

He further highlighted the helplessness of many citizens who have suffered at the hands of insecurity and economic hardship, pointing to the stories of kidnap victims, unemployed youth, and struggling small business owners.

“What do you say to people whose relatives have been taken by bandits? They’ve sold everything just to get them back — now they have no land to farm, no house to live in, no money to start any business. It’s as if we don’t have a government.

“Ask the young man who has struggled through university, waiting five to ten years for a job that doesn’t exist. Ask the small business owners how they’re surviving — electricity bills are soaring, there’s no power, no profit.

“Look at the man driving a keke NAPEP — he can’t even make ends meet. What kind of economy is this? What kind of democracy?” he said.

READ ALSO: Young Nigerians Must See Themselves As Participants Not Spectators In Democracy — Uzodimma

He argued that any government unable to ensure basic welfare and security has lost the moral right to call itself democratic.

He said, “If a democracy cannot provide for the people, it has lost its moral and constitutional credibility. The purpose of government, as clearly stated in the constitution, is to provide for the security and welfare of the people. Where is the security? Where is the welfare? Where is the comfort?”

Citing statistics to back his claim, Bugaje described the country’s current state as disgraceful.

“Per capita income is now 877 dollars — the worst since 1960,” he revealed. “Isn’t it a disgrace? A badge of dishonour to the politicians in government who brought us to this level and are still talking about democracy. We have to go back to the fundamentals. There’s a total disconnect between those ruling and the realities in society.”

‘Struggle For Democracy Still Worthwhile’

Despite his criticism, Bugaje said he still believes in the democratic process but emphasised the need for leaders to show conviction.

When asked if the struggle for democracy was still worthwhile, he said, “It is. But it also requires the courage of conviction. If you are convinced that this is the way, then you must have the courage to stand by that conviction.

“Otherwise, what is the value of a man if he cannot stand for what he believes in? I don’t think he is truly a person.”

The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ismaeel Ahmed, has stated that government reforms must be accompanied by empathy and effective grassroots engagement to ensure public understanding and acceptance.

Ahmed stated this while speaking at a special Democracy Day lecture held at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, as part of events commemorating Nigeria’s 26 years of unbroken democracy.

The event was themed “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms”.

Ahmed said that while tough economic policies were often necessary, they become more acceptable when citizens understand the reasons behind them.

“I think these economic reforms, decisions, or policies that are sound are usually unpopular because they are tough. The people who have the responsibility of explaining them to the general public are not just government appointees, but those elected by the people,” he said.

Kehinde, an animal feed seller at the Kara cattle market, says sales haven’t been encouraging. (Photo by Nosakhale Akhimien / Channels Television)“The President and the Vice President need to move around the country and talk to people directly. When people are going through pain, they want to hear from those they cast their votes for — that matters a lot,” the APC chieftain.

READ ALSO: Tinubu’s ‘Audacious’ Reforms Rescued Nigeria’s Economy From Tipping Point — Soludo

According to him, while policies may be technically sound, their communication must be humanised and decentralised to foster public understanding.

“Reforms are necessary, but they have to come with empathy. What does empathy mean? It means ‘I feel your pains, I understand what you are going through.’

“The moment people understand why, it becomes easier for them to endure the how. But that has to come from elected officials — governors, the President, Vice President, and members of the National Assembly.

“It has to be more than just talking in Abuja or making policy statements. It has to cascade. Policy prescriptions are usually technical; you need to break them down. That’s why you need politicians to speak to the people and carry the message downwards,” he stated.

‘Sub-Nationals Have A Role’

When asked whether such expectations place too much responsibility on the Presidency, Ahmed said sub-national governments also have a critical role to play and must not shift blame solely to the Federal Government.

“I heard a governor three weeks ago telling his people that the removal of fuel subsidy was a Federal Government decision. That’s not right — he has received more money as a result but is not telling them that part. Engagement is what democracy is all about.

“There have to be people at every level holding those in power to account. Unfortunately, we have more of that at the national level. Civil society is more responsive at the national level, and the media is more responsive at the national level — and sub-nationals get away with a lot of things,” he said.

Ahmed’s remarks come amid growing public frustration over the impact of reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since assuming office in May 2023.

These include the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates — policies that, while intended to stabilise the economy long-term, have led to soaring energy prices, transportation costs, and food inflation.