GROpinion
Your Excellency: Memo to a new Governor III by James Agada


You excellency, permit me to send in the third part of my advise to you as you begin your governance journey. As I highlighted from beginning, the only true driver of what you do as a governor is that core thing that drove you into taking the plunge to contest and win.
It usually isn’t the publicly stated objectives. It is something that sometimes you are even afraid to tell yourself not to talk of others. But it is something strong enough to make you make all the alliances and compromises and sacrifices that has brought you to this table.
In my last missive, I pointed out that for most humans it is power, wealth and legacy that are the primary drivers of the ambition to get in to powerful political position. But then, your tenure is limited either by the constitution or by nature. Eventually everyone dies.
All the great men of yore are dead. Power and wealth often die first before the physical men as these are the easiest to lose once you are out of power. My advice to you will be to pursue legacy. With legacy you will have wealth and power that will survive your brief stint in power and in life. With legacy you could become immortal. And immortality is the goal of all great men from the time of Gilgamesh.
But what is legacy and how will you go about building one? How does legacy assure you of power and wealth in your present tenure and in the future when you are out of the government and possibly in the grave? Forgive me for how long this discussion is but the questions require lengthy discussion. For the rest of this piece I will concentrate on enlightening you on what legacy is and how to go about building a legacy. In a subsequent letter I will relate building a lagacy with the power and wealth you crave.
To understand what legacy is, let us go over a few stories of people who have attempted to and succeeded or failed in building a legacy. Let us start with a young man who in a space of 3 years some 2000 years ago created a movement that became what we call Christianity today. He publicly disavowed political power, but went about doing good ( feeding people, curing people of their mental and physical maladies), demonstrating an extraordinary power over nature but refusing to deploy his powers to save himself from death in the hands of those with political power. He preached a message of love and unending hope and promised an eternal destination where all our human frailties are replaced with eternal graces. 2000 years after his death , millions of people and millions of institutions can claim to be influenced or working under the influence of his message. 2000 years after. Battles have been fought, mercies extended and miracles wrought in his name. Wealth have been created in his name and power exercised in his name. In fact, his followers , do not accept that he died, he just went away to prepare a place and he will come back in the fullness of time. The fullness of time has no date. Jesus Christ created a legacy with a message, a promise, a clear vision and plan of how his message will be sustained across geographies and generations and works that serve as eternal reference. None of his traducers are remembered today except as traducers of Jesus Christ.
About 70 years ago, another young man sold his country a vision of Aryan superiority and his mission to propel them to the top as rulers and conquerors of the earth. His vision led to genocidal massacres of others regarded as subhumans, tremendous technological development and a world war that wrought havoc on his people and the rest of the world. Adolf Hitler is remembered today for crimes against humanity. But he was not the first or the last one that has promised his people that they have been ordained by God to rule others and if these others resist , massacre them and take their land and resources by force. Ghengis Khan did so. Tamerlane did so. Even Usman Dan Fodo did the same. And today, Donald Trump trumpets an America first message. Many of such people have created legacies that their descendants will keep apologizing for.
Your legacy is what lives on after you have exited the stage of power or of life. It is your claim to immortality. It is the influence you have to determine the flow of wealth and power when you are no longer in a position to demand it as of your right. Legacy is the foundation you have created that future generations can build upon and for which they remain grateful to you. Legacy is what you have left behind that others will fight to defend or advance when you are no longer there to command them to do so. Legacy is only a legacy when it has survived your exit from power and your exit from life.
With the example of Jesus Christ, it is easy to see that long lasting legacies are inscribed in the hearts of men and not in bricks and mortar or electrons. People like Obafemi Awolowo , Aminu Kano, or even Usman Dan Fodio has left a legacy where access to power in their region is tied closely to identifying with their name or family or friends even if their ideas are so diluted now they have become every con-man’s fable. If you can’t reach the level of Jesus Christ , at least you have to surpass the level of Awolowo and others mentioned earlier.
Building a legacy is a deliberate act that requires you to make plans and decisions with the future and future generations in mind. The first decision of course is to commit yourself to building a legacy, a sustainable legacy that will expand outside your region of immediate influence surviving across generations. With that done, you can easily weigh any decision from the prism of how will that decision impact my enduring legacy? This ritual of commitment is one you will do well to do publicly and get your core team and core of disciples to also do and then invite your general public to do. You will teach children to do it and create a whole ceremony , philosophy, history and science around it. The continuation of this ritual after you are gone is a major measure of whether you have truly established a legacy. Jesus Christ was baptized and Christians today do a ritual baptism that commits them to the ideals of Christ. Many other rulers seeking legacy from the Nazi’s in Germany to the communists in North Korea have discovered this truth.
Before this commitment happens however, you need to have a promise and a message. A promise is the destination of your legacy while the message is what will be inscribed in the hearts of men. Nnamdi Kanu has promised that Biafra is his destination. And his message is clear, his followers just need to reject Nigeria. What, your excellency is your destination. Hitler’s destination was Aryan supremacy. His message was simple, Heil Hitler. Just believe and acknowledge Hitler and he will lead you to Aryan Supremacy. What, your excellency, is your promise and your message? For your legacy to transcend your exit, the destination must also transcend your exit. Will it be an Igbo supremacy? Or Wawa renaissance ? Or what?It obviously can’t be access to treasury or access to federal might or access to power. These will not transcend your exit or your demise.
If your destination is set then your message has to be crafted to encapsulate the association of the destination with you. The message will be in two parts, the simple message to excite the masses and a deeper philosophical and historical framework for the elites and scholars. So if for instance you coin Wawaism as the message for the masses for a destination of Wawa Renaissance then you have to also invent or resurrect the myths and philosophies and history of wawaism.
You do not of course have to have the mental capacity to invent these, but that is why in my first letter I advised you to have in your core team those who will create the myths. Messages and destinations can also evolve and can be created in partnership with the populace however legacies are built on certainties and strong belief. Which means you and your core team have to present a coherent destination and message as soon as possible to build the legacy around it.
If you have a destination, a message that resonates then you must have a plan for spreading this message and inscribing the destination, the message and your role as the embodiment of the destination and message in the hearts of your people and beyond. Jesus Christ appointed 12 disciples and gave them clear instructions and even sent the Holy Ghost to further advise them. When that was not enough given the educational limitations of those followers, he co-opted Paul who was learned enough to take the Jews on in their temples. Who are your 12 apostles? Who is your Paul ?
A few ideas in this regard. Utilizing ideas in mass communication, neural language programming, social media and community organization will quickly get your destination and message across. Oh , some call these tools of mass brain washing. Your modern day pastors are employing them to great success. You could co-opt one of them. Since you are looking at legacy, you have to put in place educational material and curriculum from kindergarten to doctorate level to teach your message. Education is the most powerful acculturation tool for building legacies. Early Christian missionaries started with education, Your Excellency.
The last component of building a legacy is the works. Jesus Christ went about doing good, raising the dead, feeding crowds, calming sea storms. Adolf Hitler built roads, rebuilt the army and conquered countries. What will be your works that will make your destination and message manifest in the life of your people today. All your people? Without works, faith is futile or so the Bible says. Your works will be geared towards reinforcing your message and creating unending hope for your destination. If you had taken advice from my last letter, your intelligence agencies should have surfaced the major issues your people are facing, the state of their physical and social environment and those things that they are afraid to aspire to. It is from these that you will pick your deliberate actions.
So, let us assume that your destination is Wawa Reanaissance, with a mass message of wawaism or I am proud to be a Wawa man. Your intelligence would have shown you that the Wawa man feels oppressed, unrecognized, frequently overlooked in federal appointments and inferior. It would have shown you that infrastructure in Wawa land is abysmal , that governance does not exist at the grass roots , that divisive politics have removed any commonly shared identity, that the Wawa man is threatened by criminals within and even more dangerous criminals without.
It would have shown you that Wawa land is not regarded as a leader in any sphere of political or economic activity. It would also have shown you that you met an empty treasury, a dysfunctional civil service and a restrictive constitution.
Amongst all this, I will suggest that you make it a mark of urgency to pick a loud public fight for something you are sure Wawaland should have. Maybe an appointment or a project or public policy. This action will mobilize the Wawa men around your destination and your message and send the tone for the rest of what you are to do. A loud boisterous campaign for an issue that feeds into your message and destination excites the public and makes it easy for them to buy into your message. Asiwaju fought for control of the local governments and used the fight to unite Lagosians around his message of federalism. And he won the fight and gained the legacy.
Secondly, Do an expert led root cause analysis of the state of Wawa land and identify no more than three issues to resolve in your first term. Start a public and private consultation on the best ways to resolve them. The public consultation feeds to your message, the private consultation allows you to get expert opinion. Say for instance that infrastructure is one of the areas. Then you launch public consultation for a policy and plan for creating world class infrastructure for Wawa land. Get every community and every group involved. Put it on social media and on radio and television. Hold conferences in Wawaland and outside Wawaland soliciting for ideas on how to fix the problem given the obvious constraints on tenure and capital. Hold night Virgil’s and prayer sessions. In fact craft prayer points around it. Get international organizations involved, get aid organizations involved, get leading researchers involved.
The good thing is that at the end of the day, you will have a solid infrastructure plan with the buy in of Wawa populace, international support and national support. Then take the action in the plan. In doing these you have mobilized people and resources around your destination, and your works will start to cement your legacy.
Let me apologize again for the length of this letter. As you digest it, I will take time to show you in my next letter how chasing a legacy will also bring you power and wealth.
Best Regards
James Agada is the former CEO of Computer Warehouse Group Plc
Note: This article was first published on his Medium.com page.


A few weeks to his inauguration as governor of Enugu state on May 29 2023, I had my first meeting with Peter Mbah along with a few other colleague media personalities.
The meeting, which was at the instance of my good friend, brother and perhaps one of Nigeria’s best media relations guru, Uche Anichukwu, held at the Abuja Transcorp Hilton.
Present at the meeting was also my good friend Ifeanyi Ossai, then deputy governor-elect of Enugu state. For many years,
I have been deeply connected to the political leadership of Enugu state to the extent that the state has become my second ‘’state of origin’’. And in these years, I have come to appreciate a leadership value system that is firmly hinged on a deep connection between the political leaders and the people of Enugu state.
In my close interaction with leading lights of Enugu state such as former Governor Ifeanyi Uguwanyi, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekwerenmadu, former house of representative members Patrick Asadu and Toby Okechukwu among many others, I have come to the realization that if there is one state in Nigeria where democracy is truly work in progress then it is my second home state.
But throughout my years of involvement in Enugu affairs, I never met Peter Mbah, who by then was busy carving a niche in the ecosystem of Nigeria’s organized private as a leading player in the oil and gas industry as the chairman of Pinnacle until the Abuja meeting.
At the meeting, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, a lawyer, business man and politician who previously served as chief of staff in the administration of former governor Chimaroke Nnamani, in a very calm, composed and stoic mien, took us through his vision for the state.
In fact, he reiterated his campaign promises including the creation of a 30billion dollar economy, resuscitation of urban water supply, ending sit at home, upgrading of health facilities and most importantly the building of smart schools to usher Enugu children into a future that is today.
Listening keenly to this gentleman, I saw a serous minded man who means the business of governance.
Satisfied that Peter Mbah knew exactly what he wanted to do as governor, I decided to quip in a little suggestion on the need for him to run a government that should be inclusive of all Nigerians resident in the state irrespective of ethnicity and religion, especially given the fact that Enugu was the former regional capital of the old Eastern Region.
I specifically made this suggestion to the incoming governor, because of the widespread perception that the Igbo people of Nigeria are not accommodating of other groups as they are accommodated outside their eastern heartland home region and this issue is often weaponized against individual politicians seeking the highest office in the land from one of Nigeria’s most important sections.
As I made this appeal, Governor Peter Mbah, an otherwise straight-faced man with an expressionless mien, let out a smile of appreciation without saying a word. Little did I know that I was preaching Catholicism to the Bishop of Rome.
The recent controversy surrounding the abandonment of a multi-billion naira contract for the construction of Governor Mbah’s smart schools across the state, which was awarded to Olasijibomi Ogundele, a Lagos based Yoruba property developer has clearly revealed Peter Mbah as a detribalized pan Nigerian nationalist who is leading and living out the vision of the Great Zik of Africa of one united Nigerian nation of citizens away from a fractured country of disunited tribesmen.
After all it all began in 1952, when Nnamdi Azikiwe’s NCNC party threw up Mallam Umaru Altine, a Hausa speaking Muslim from northern Nigeria, who was resident in Enugu city as the Mayor of the regional capital of the Nigeria’s Igbo homeland; a feat in national integration that has remained a reference point in national unity for more than half a century.
This commentary is not about the business dispute between Brethren Olasijibomi Ogundele and Enugu state government but more about the fact that Governor Peter Mbah has shattered the myth or if you like the fallacy and falsehood about Ndigbo not being accommodating of others as they want others to accommodate them.
By entrusting some of his most important project in the hands of ‘’others’’ Governor Mbah’s action has clearly vindicated the Igbo people of Nigeria and rebranded their image as a people who truly believe in the philosophy of ‘’Nwanne di na Mbah’’ [a brethren can be found in foreign land].
Interestingly, Olasijibomi Ogundele is not the first and only beneficiary of Enugu state government patronage within the context of this commentary.
Recently, the Governor commissioned five ultra-modern bus terminals in Enugu state as part of his administration’s transportation master plan to provide affordable and seamless interconnectivity across the state’s major towns and city centre. Four of those terminals were constructed by Planets Projects; a Lagos based construction whose major promoter is Eng Biodun Otunola.
The modern Oshodi Bus terminal in Lagos was constructed by this firm. Similarly, the multi-billion naira Enugu state Command and Control Centre, which is reported to be the biggest in Nigeria with AI-enabled surveillance cameras across the state vide fibre optic cables, was built by Hajaraisan Nig LTD.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company is Aminu Uba Miko, an indigene of Kano state, while Ibrahim Shehu from Jigawa state was engaged to develop the Enugu State Vehicles’ Identification System Software.
And XEJET, the operator of the recently launched Enugu Enugu Air; an Enugu state owned airline was founded by Emmanuel Izah from Kogi state.
The good thing about these engagements is that they were competitively bided for but the Yoruba or Hausa ethnicities of Enugu state government’s preferred bidders did not limit or diminish their chances of winning the contract in Peter Mbah’s Enugu.
Just as Planets Project has a track record in transport infrastructure construction and management, so does Olasijibomi’s Sujimoto Property construction firm have a solid track record as pioneers of smart buildings in Africa.
That the Enugu state government has taking steps to sanction Olasijibomi Ogundele clearly shows that Governor Mbah has no incestuous relationship with the young man and that his engagement was purely based on the belief that he can deliver on the job.
Away from these few cases amongst many others, Governor Mbah in making strategic appointments in Enugu state has demonstrated the oneness of Nigeria, where the principles of inclusion, equity and justice reigns supreme.
The Managing Director of Enugu state Broadcasting Service is Ladi Akeredolu-Ale, a veteran broadcaster from Ondo state, while the man helping Governor Peter Mbah to drive his vision for available, accessible and affordable healthcare is Dr Yomi Jaye, his Special Adviser on Health Matters.
To boost the IGR of the state, Governor Mbah hired Adenike Okebu as his Senior Special Assistant on Revenue. While Alh Abubakar Yusuf Sambo serves as the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, the Commander of Enugu Forest Guard is Olamitisoji Akinbamilayo, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police who served in the Enugu state Command.
The retired DCP was in charge of operations when Governor Mbah directed the full implementation of the ban on sit-at-home and other violent activities by miscreants. For his meritorious service to the state, DCP Akinbamilayo was retained by the state as part of its security management team.
Peter Mbah’s Enugu state is the Nigeria of our dreams. And when the Igbo people of Nigeria are accused wrongly, they should point in the direction of Peter Mbah’s Enugu State.
Like I have consistently maintained, Nigerians are essentially one people and the various ethnic groupings are simply members of the same family that are living in different parts of the family compound.
A movement from one part of the family compound to another should not render a member of the family an outsider inside his/her family compound.
This is called citizenship. And as citizens of Nigeria, we should be free to reside in any part of the federation without the dichotomy of ‘’indigene and settler’’ wherein one’s ethnicity can enhance or diminish access to state provision and protection.
The fundamental condition preceding national development and security of any sovereign entity is the social cohesion, national integration and unity of the constituent peoples. Now we know why Peter Mbah’s Enugu State is working progressively.
*Dahiru is an Abuja-based public affairs analyst


The second year has gone since Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was sworn in as the President of Nigeria, which translates to half of his tenure already spent!
At the first anniversary, the thinking in some quarters was that one year was too short to access the performance of any government. But now that it’s half of the tenure and behind the scene networking for him to return for the second term is in full gear, a comprehensive assessment should better be done now by anyone that cares or never.
Surprisingly, there is no meeting point between the two opinions on the performance of the President so far, and it seems there will never be a convergence, with those that are against him having nothing good to point at as achievement, while those in support are ready to sing his praise to the heavens.
Those on the left pole as expected are from the camp of the opposition parties who are yet and may not be able to cross to the ruling party, and of course millions of citizens who are negatively hit by the president’s economic policies in the last two years. It has been very difficult for many to comprehend why government cannot banish an extreme hardship that has even surpassed what they saw when they thought there could never be a worse clueless leadership in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s political system is yet to have a measurement mechanism where the performances of the leaders and the mood of the populace can be gauged as we see in many advanced democracies where opinion polls on leaders are released from time to time, and they are taken seriously, like a mirror to know the possibilities in future elections.
THE NAY SAYERS
The voice of those who seem to be discontented with the way things are going in the country no doubt is the loudest. The hardship voice is so loud in every corner such that if public opinion counts and if there is a remote possibility of having a free and fair election in the country, one would say that the President and his ruling party will be having sleepless nights.
It will be interesting to see anyone that can swear that there is a free and fair election in Nigeria. I believe the closest to a consensus will be that candidates will rig and win where they are popular. This can explain why some supporters will sing ‘ba tie dibo, oti wole’ (even if we don’t vote, you have won) during electioneering campaigns or the audacity that the PDP had then to boast that it will rule for 60 years.
The loud voice of discontentment in the last two years stems from the removal of fuel subsidies, Naira depreciation, spiraling inflation as high energy and food costs eroded the purchasing power of most Nigerians.
In the opinion of the former Vice President Atiku Abubarka who is occupying the extreme end of the opposition, in two years, the Tinubu’s administration has proven to be one of the most incompetent, disconnected, and anti-people governments in Nigeria’s democratic history.
He claimed a disregard for transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership, saying the government has not only deepened poverty, but set new records in wasteful public spending.
Pointing out that Nigeria’s total public debt in two years skyrocketed from 150 per cent to N144 trillion when compared to those of state governments where debt levels dropped from N5.86 trillion to N3.97 trillion, he concluded that Tinubu administration was the primary driver of Nigeria’s debt crisis.
His former boss, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also shared same sentiment as he was quoted to have written in his book, Nigeria: Past and Future, that the Lagos-Calabar highway typifies waste and corruption.
He was quoted as saying, “Typical examples of waste, corruption and misplaced priority are the murky Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road on which the President had turned deaf ears to protests and the new Vice-President’s official residence built at a cost of N21 billion in the time of economic hardship to showcase the administration hitting the ground running and to show the importance of the office of the Vice-President. What small minds!”
Atiku’s political party, the PDP is also singing the same song while urging Tinubu to urgently address the issue of insecurity, reverse all economically suffocating policies and check the wholesale corruption, greed, unbridled profligacy, reckless misdirection of resources, arrogance in failure and totalitarian tendencies in his administration, which has shown itself as anti-people and impervious to the suffering of Nigerians.
Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party has always been critical of President Tinubu’s administration, particularly on economic issues. He had expressed concerns about the country’s economic downturn, highlighting a significant decrease in GDP from $477 billion to $252 billion, which dropped the country from the biggest economy in Africa to number four.
SIMPLY THE BEST?
But in a sharp contrast, those that could see with the same lenses as the President, particularly those in the organised private sector are happy with what they are seeing so far.
Ironically, the removal of fuel subsidy which many are lamenting about is what the President’s admirers have embraced as one of his best achievements so far.
They believe that Tinubu’s economic reforms are promising despite being tough on Nigerians and businesses as they see positivities in the fuel subsidy and foreign exchange rate unification; Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative to save over N2 trillion monthly by cutting petrol imports; Billions approved for the Student Loan Scheme; significant increase in government revenue with funds being channeled into large-scale infrastructure projects; rise in oil production; over $500 million in foreign direct investments; other social intervention programmes which include over N200 billion allocated to the newly established Consumer Credit Corporation; N570 billion disbursed to states for livelihood support; new national minimum wage to N70,000; increasing NYSC allowances to N77,000; tariff waivers on food and pharmaceutical imports among others.
Abdul Samad Rabiu the Founder and Chairman, BUA Group in an interview listed what the administration had done right to include the removal of the fuel subsidy which he said was the biggest economic scam in our history. He said the administration unified the foreign exchange market and restored stability, fairness, and confidence in the economy.
“These are the foundations of growth. Nigeria is full of potential. With the right leadership, which we now have, there is no limit to what we can achieve,” Rabiu said.
The Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote also shared the same view with Rabiu as he described Tinubu as a visionary leader, saying one of the Tinubu administration’s most transformative initiatives is the Naira for Crude Policy.
He said that the policy stood out as a clear testament to the administration’s commitment to economic recovery and national sovereignty.
He said, “This bold policy has enabled us to reduce product prices consistently and guarantee availability for the overall benefit of Nigerians. It has also helped significantly in stabilising the prices of petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, and polypropylene to their lowest levels ever. The effect of this development is the stabilisation of our currency, a critical element in the development of economic policy and budgeting by businesses.”
He also lauded the administration’s Nigeria First Policy, which aimed to drastically reduce reliance on foreign goods and services, prioritising local patronage in investment decisions, business operations, and consumption habits.
Anambra State governor, Prof Charles Soludo from an opposition party also joined the camp of those that believed that Tinubu had been outstanding in the last two years. He said the President’s bold and visionary economic reform policies, have positioned the country on a trajectory of sustainable growth and development, despite temporary setbacks.
He said President Tinubu’s game-changing initiatives, including the removal of fuel subsidies, foreign exchange reforms, and significant investments in infrastructure development, demonstrate his decisive commitment to building a prosperous nation.
MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE
As expected, the administration has not been slack at defending its record with the President dismissing critics of his legacy projects for being ignorant about how the government awarded them to contractors.
The President will be right if he borrows the phrase ‘man shall not live by bread alone’ to defend his administration’s thirst for legacy projects if one should reflect on the past when the country was turned into the dumping ground for imported products with strategic infrastructures left undeveloped.
The administration no doubt has been bullish and performed beyond expectations on infrastructure development if one should reflect on the time that these projects were conceived, like the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway which was said to have been envisioned 47 years ago under the Shagari administration.
Another area where one can argue that the President has also surpassed expectation is the quality of appointment into strategic agencies as he did away with the past culture of mediocre in high places. I had in one of my early series, ‘If I were Tinubu: Setting a Tinubunomic agenda’, wrote that “ The President will need the right professionals to run the oil industry. Specifically, there will be a need for a total overhaul of the system. The new NNPC Limited should be made to advertise the positions of its CEO and other top directors to attract the right professionals from all over the world.”
When the President initially retained the old management of the NNPCL, I had thought that could only happen because he had seen what people from outside could not see. But the dramatic replacement of the management and board which could pass for a corporate coup has been applauded in many quarters as the right thing to do.
On sports, while the Tinubu’s administration has been commended for its development initiatives, particularly the reinstatement of the National Sports Commission (NSC) as the governing body for sports along with the timely payment of bonuses and allowances to athletes, its yet to be seen when these will translate to Nigeria winning medals in international events.
With the government also deserving credit for the bold tax reform agenda which is expected to become more pronounced when the new tax bills are signed into laws, it’s not also too difficult to identify the areas where hope is still hanging in the balance.
For instance, the claim of a repositioned health sector despite all odds has not been felt by a large segment of the masses, so also the initiatives to boost local food production, support farmers, and stabilise food prices have not yielded recognisable results, as the level of hunger in the land is still at the extreme.
Moreover, the government has not been convincing with its programmes to improve electricity supply as the grid keep on suffering multiple collapses, with most people still living with poor supply despite increase in tariff.
Also the blue economy that raised so much hope with the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry has not lived up to the billing, with no sign of definite direction to harness the huge potential in the sector.
While the road infrastructure where huge resources have been committed also hold great prospect for the country, it is understandable that the impact may not be felt in the next one or two years.
TINUBU UNSTOPABLE?
Going forward, it will be difficult to expect any dramatic change in the posture of the president for the rest of his term, more so when the groundwork for his reelection has started.
By now, most Nigerians would have formed their opinions about who the president is, yet no one can absolutely boast that they know him. To say that he is stubborn or brave would be an understatement. Like a script in a mafia book, he has plotted his ways through the political trench to built a cult of followership and emerged as the most powerful and influential leader Nigeria has ever seen. His influence in the National Assembly is overwhelming, which would make it possible for him to push his agenda either legislatively or through Executive Orders. Unlike Obasanjo who would have instigated crisis in order to uproot their leadership as he would not like to share the limelight with anyone, Tinubu has allowed them the room to breath while pulling the string behind the scene to get his ways.
In a congratulatory message to the President on the second anniversary in office, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said Tinubu had restored the hope of Nigerians for a viable and sustainable nation through transformative and courageous leadership… he had placed Nigeria on a solid developmental pedestal using the Renewed Hope Agenda as his policy thrust.
There may be likelihood of positivities in the enormous power that the President has amassed if positively deployed as the case of Lee Kuan Yew, the Singapore’s first Prime Minister who transformed his nation from a developing country to a developed one through visionary leadership and pragmatic policies between 1959 and 1990. If Tinubu can push through his legacy projects and other reforms, he could achieve the feet of Yew with Nigeria. However, since he is human and as absolute power corrupts, the fear of abuse cannot be overlooked.
The opposition parties that could give him a run for his money are currently in a disarray. One will be expecting more manoeuvring to weakening them and lure away their remaining prominent leaders in the coming months, which will make victory look very obvious for the President in 2027 even if the masses are crying murder.
The minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the Economy, Wale Edun told foreign investors few months ago that the government through its veracious reforms had laid the foundation that would make the country the desired destination for private investors, saying the country is on the road to 7 per cent annual growth, while the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, similarly said Nigeria’s economy is on a path of stabilisation and recovery following months of tough but necessary reforms.
With assurances like these coming from government officials while the opposition parties are at disarray with defection waves sweeping through the South South up to the North, Nigerians can only buckle up for the rough ride that may go beyond 2027, with hope and prayer that light will eventually come at the end of the tunnel.
*Segun Adeleye is the President/CEO, World Stage Limited, the publisher of WorldStage Newsonline. He is the author of Tinubu The Audacity To Hope, So Long Too Long Nigeria among others.
Columnists
Atiku Abubakar’s Coalition on a Path to Failure after Struggles
By: Prof. Ojo Emmanuel Ademola


In Nigeria’s political landscape, Atiku Abubakar’s coalition stands as a significant challenger to the status quo but faces challenges like internal disputes, regional divides, and distrust among stakeholders. To succeed, the coalition must present a clear economic vision resonating with an informed electorate. Fostering unity, transparency, and inclusivity while addressing internal conflicts and regional disparities will enhance trust and strengthen its position in Nigerian politics.
Atiku Abubakar is leading a coalition of major political parties, including the APC, PDP, and Labour Party, to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The coalition aims to tackle regional insecurity and economic issues, which Atiku believes the current government is mishandling. In response, President Tinubu is employing a carefully crafted strategy, termed a divide-and-rule approach by some analysts, to weaken this coalition. However, analysts suggest that Nigerians are increasingly focused on economic solutions rather than divisive politics.
Political analysts assert that Atiku Abubakar’s coalition faces immense challenges, indicating it is “dead on arrival.” Atiku Abubakar’s coalition is plagued by internal conflicts, particularly between him and Peter Obi over leadership and the presidential candidacy. Regional divisions have weakened the coalition, with the PDP losing influence in the South-South and South-East to Obi’s Labour Party. Trust issues persist as members question Atiku’s motives and whether the coalition serves a collective purpose. Amid Nigeria’s economic and political instability, the coalition struggles to gain support and maintain unity, highlighting the need for cohesion to navigate upcoming challenges, especially ahead of the 2027 elections.
Public opinion plays a crucial role in the success of political coalitions like Atiku Abubakar’s, influencing political dynamics significantly. Support from the public can enhance a coalition’s credibility and momentum, making it a stronger alternative to the current government. As politicians are attuned to public sentiment, aligning coalition goals with public concerns can motivate them to join or support the coalition. Positive public opinion leads to greater media coverage and supporters while mobilising essential resources for campaign efforts. Ultimately, electoral success depends on the coalition’s ability to connect with voters, making it imperative for Atiku’s coalition to engage with and address public concerns effectively.
Prioritising youth engagement, economic growth, and sustainability is essential for any administration aiming for progress. With Nigeria’s large youthful population, active involvement can enhance political participation, spark innovation, and build a strong workforce. Addressing the youth’s needs through targeted policies on education, job creation, and inclusivity is crucial.
Additionally, focusing on economic development is vital to tackle unemployment, poverty, and regional disparities, requiring policies that promote entrepreneurship and attract foreign investment. Emphasizing sustainability ensures economic progress while protecting the environment; this includes investing in renewable energy and eco-friendly technologies. President Tinubu’s commitment to these areas is key to fostering a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable Nigeria.
It’s an interesting perspective that Atiku Abubakar’s coalition might be seen as a distraction rather than a genuine attempt to address Nigeria’s challenges. In the digital age, where information flows rapidly and citizens are more informed, such strategies can indeed face significant hurdles. Here’s an expanded view on why this approach might struggle and what could be more effective:
Challenges of Distraction Politics in the Digital Age:
In today’s digital age, Nigerians have greater access to information through social media and online news, making traditional political diversion tactics less effective. This increased transparency allows citizens to monitor government actions closely and hold officials accountable. The youth, who are active online, prefer practical solutions over distractions, highlighting the need for meaningful policies to drive genuine progress and change.
Effective Strategies for Democratic Development:
Focusing on economic empowerment through sustainable initiatives such as job creation, small business support, and investment in technology can significantly improve citizens’ well-being. Enhancing education and skills for youth prepares them for the job market and strengthens the economy. Inclusive governance that addresses regional disparities fosters national unity and stability. Additionally, promoting environmental sustainability through green technologies and renewable energy ensures long-term prosperity and a healthier future for everyone.
Inspiring Examples:
Digital innovation has transformed governance and public services in Estonia, highlighting transparency and efficiency. Nigeria should adopt similar strategies to enhance its performance. Youth-led initiatives are crucial for economic growth and support young entrepreneurs. The tech industry in Nigeria is booming, with start-ups gaining global recognition.
Community engagement is vital for effective political movements, requiring grassroots involvement to address diverse needs. Leaders who connect with communities foster strong support, essential for successful governance. Nigeria can build a brighter future by embracing innovation, empowering youth, and engaging communities.
Distraction politics may have worked in the past, but the digital age requires more transparency. By focusing on real solutions and engaging with an informed electorate, leaders can foster democratic development and a brighter future for Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar and his coalition have faced challenges in developing winning strategies. Let’s examine some democratic perspectives on the reasons behind this and potential alternatives.
Challenges Faced by Atiku Abubakar and His Coalition:
Progress in Nigeria’s political landscape hinges on overcoming formidable hurdles such as the lack of a unified vision, deep-rooted trust deficits, and intricate regional and ethnic divides. The coalition must navigate complex agendas and historical disappointments to present a cohesive front and inspire confidence among voters. Addressing Nigeria’s diverse societal scope requires inclusive strategies that bridge demographic disparities and deliver tangible solutions to pressing economic and social woes. By forging a unified vision, rebuilding trust, and fostering cohesion among varied communities, the coalition can chart a path towards transformative change and sustainable development in the nation.
Engaging Democratic Views:
To succeed, a coalition must first establish a unified vision that transcends individual ambitions and resonates with the broader public. Rebuilding trust is key, requiring transparency, accountability, and consistent communication to demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles. Inclusivity in policymaking is vital, necessitating engagement with diverse groups to address regional and ethnic needs effectively. A strong focus on the economy, with clear and practical plans for job creation and infrastructure investment, is essential for garnering voter support. Additionally, prioritizing youth engagement through education, skills development, and political participation initiatives can ensure a more inclusive and sustainable political strategy.
Inspiring Examples:
Building grassroots movements is essential for a coalition’s success, as local networks create strong support. Digital campaigns via social media and online platforms can broaden the coalition’s reach. Collaborative leadership fosters voter confidence, as united leaders convey solidarity and commitment.
Atiku Abubakar and his coalition have struggled to meet essential foundational criteria. Despite the challenges they face, there are effective strategies they could implement to enhance their prospects. However, various reasons limit their ability to adopt these strategies. Instead, they should foster unity, trust, inclusivity, and economic development. By doing so, they can craft a compelling vision that truly resonates with the Nigerian public.
In conclusion, Atiku Abubakar’s coalition is at a pivotal moment, with the potential to either reshape Nigerian politics or struggle with its challenges. To succeed, the coalition must present a unified vision that resonates with all Nigerians. It needs to rebuild trust through transparency and accountability while addressing the diverse needs of the country’s various regions and demographics. By focusing on economic empowerment, youth engagement, and sustainable development, the coalition can provide a compelling alternative to the current administration. In a time when voters seek genuine solutions and meaningful change, the path to success lies in tackling the real issues facing Nigeria and engaging the public in a transparent and inclusive manner.