Following his fraudulent announcement in collaboration with Yakubu Mahmood, Chairman of the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu ascended to the highest political office in Nigeria, despite a history riddled with criminal allegations.
Throughout his campaign, Tinubu often delivered incoherent speeches or resorted to dancing, appealing to a base widely viewed as gullible and indoctrinated.
The so-called “jokes” his supporters mistook for policy promises have now become grim realities for Nigerians.
During his campaign, Tinubu’s promise to “reduce the purchasing power of Nigerians and widen taxes” circulated widely on social media, accompanied by an old video of him discussing taxes and the economy during Buhari’s administration.
Today, Nigerians are enduring extreme poverty due to Tinubu’s harsh policies, such as the removal of subsidies without any strategies to mitigate its impact on citizens.
Insecurity: 4,500 Nigerians Killed, 7,000 Kidnapped in Tinubu’s first 365 Days
Under Tinubu’s tenure, insecurity has skyrocketed. As a former governor and self-proclaimed architect of Lagos, a city plagued by thuggery and lawlessness for over 23 years, his leadership at the national level has seen an unprecedented loss of lives and property. One glaring example is the Jos massacre on Christmas Eve 2023, which resulted in the death of over 300 citizens without any governmental response to date.
According to Parallel Facts, over 87 residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been killed and 176 kidnapped within Tinubu’s first year in office. Also, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) reported that 703 people were abducted nationwide over just eight days in March 2024. In the same month, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani confirmed the abduction of 280 children, a statistic that sent shockwaves through the country.
According to Premium Times, indeed, the threat persisted without interruption, leading to over 4,556 fatalities and 7,086 abductions between May 29, 2023, and May 11, 2024, based on data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a global data hub for real-time conflict-related information.
Two months after his inaugural pledge to enhance national security, Mr. Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the performance of the service chiefs he had appointed just a month prior.
Extreme Poverty Engineered by Tinubu’s Corrupt Cabinet
Examining the abject poverty level under Tinubu, the World Bank’s December report indicated that poverty in Nigeria has increased to 46 percent, representing 104 million impoverished Nigerians.
A wise man once said, “You’re the reflection of your company.” This adage rings true for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who consistently appoints controversial figures to significant positions. For instance, he appointed the former governor of Bauchi, who the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused of embezzling N212 billion, as the head of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Similarly, Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, known for carrying a power bank around, epitomizes Tinubu’s apparent lack of leadership acumen.
Recently, a poll about Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola highlighted widespread calls for his dismissal due to his evident lack of expertise in the marine domain.
Commenters noted that Oyetola’s presence is merely a drain on taxpayers’ money, contributing nothing of value.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Considers Implementation of New National Tax, Spending, Borrowing Policies
Tinubu’s supporters have hailed Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso as a savior for the country’s economic sector, which was left in disarray under Godwin Emefiele. Cardoso has been utilizing the country’s reserves to bolster the Naira against the dollar. However, despite these efforts, as of the latest reports, $1 still exchanges for over N1,500.
Naira Crashing Against Dollar & Cost of Living
To understand the cost-of-living crisis, it helps to compare the national minimum wage with the prices of staple foods. Currently, a month’s minimum wage (N54,000) is barely enough to buy a 50-kilogramme bag of rice in the open market, let alone cover other daily needs, as living costs continue to rise under Tinubu’s administration. Tinubu had earlier stated: “I feel your pains.” In his speech, he echoed the socioeconomic philosophy of socialists, saying, “Let the poor breathe, don’t suffocate them.”
However, the reality is different: inflation has surged, the naira has plummeted, making it the worst-performing currency, and poverty, falling incomes, rising insecurity, and other social issues are suffocating both the rich and the poor.
A year later, the naira has fallen to about N1500/$, even crossing N1600/$ in the official market in March. This devaluation represents a 70% drop in one year, matching the decline experienced during Buhari’s eight-year presidency, exacerbating inflation and economic hardship.
Crippling Education Sector
The education sector faces challenges and financial burdens, showing no significant improvements. A social media hashtag (#TinubuLagosSchoolSeries) on X highlighted poorly maintained schools in Lagos, reflecting Tinubu’s lack of a concrete plan for education.
To maintain uninterrupted academic activities, Tinubu waived the “No work, No pay” policy in October 2023 and released four months’ worth of salaries withheld from university teachers by the previous administration. Additionally, he approved 25% and 35% wage increases for university lecturers.
Despite these measures, university unions argue that there is little to celebrate in the education sector, citing ongoing unresolved issues and insufficient government action to prevent industrial unrest. The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated that conditions have worsened since Tinubu took office.
In the business sector, major companies like Unilever, GSK Plc, Procter & Gamble (P&G), and others have exited Nigeria due to the unfavourable business environment under Tinubu’s administration, while other potential investors like Qatar and Microsoft have shown reluctance to invest in Nigeria.
An analysis of this administration’s penchant for deception and propaganda will feature in the next editorial. Many Nigerians view Tinubu’s government as a resounding failure, believing he has nothing substantial to offer the nation.
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