In the grandiose halls of power, where billions are allocated for the refurbishment of presidential residences and extraneous privileges, a stark tale unfolds—the tale of President Tinubu’s Nigeria, where the privileged few revel in opulence while the masses grapple with the indescribable agony wrought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) since 2015, a saga further intensified by Tinubu’s leadership in 2023.
The budgetary dissonance, glaringly evident in allocations for presidential residences vis-à-vis resources for assuaging the plight of the suffering populace, reveals a leadership not merely characterized by ineptitude but a downright loss of humanity. As the APC’s governance since 2015 faces scrutiny for policies that left the nation in disarray, Tinubu’s 2023 leadership amplifies the discord with policies that lack consistency, plunging the country into further turmoil.
Robert Payne’s cautionary words resonate with haunting accuracy in this narrative. The unchecked authority wielded by the ruling elite, akin to absolute power, beckons the temptation for fantastical indulgences, inevitably stripping them of their most precious possession—their common humanity. The prevailing state of affairs in this administration mirrors the dark days of Abacha, with a legislative arm and judiciary seemingly bought over, rendering them mere puppets in a theatre of tyranny.
A nation holds its breath as the promises of change and progress espoused by the APC crumble into oblivion. Hunger, dilapidated infrastructure, a crumbling healthcare system, substandard education, and unemployment emerge as the bitter fruits of a governance marred by ineptitude. The presidency, ensconced in luxury, appears indifferent to the suffering of the masses—a cruel echo of Tinubu’s rule in Lagos State.
The echoes of Lagos’ past reverberate ominously, where public funds were diverted into private pockets, government buildings were converted to personal property, and state investments were appropriated. Now, the looming threat hovers over national assets like the Dangote refinery, with President Tinubu audaciously staking a claim to 30 percent of its shares without payment, a brazen manifestation of unbridled greed.
The economic climate, once touted as investor-friendly, now bears the scars of a leadership engrossed in avarice. The unholy alliance between the presidency and entities with dubious histories, such as Chargoury, casts doubt on the commitment to fostering a transparent and accountable economic landscape. The disturbing parallel with the saga of the former Atiku’s Intel company, once seized by Abacha and its shares sold to Chargoury, later returned to owner by the successive government led by Abdulsalam, had its contract cancelled again under Buhari and now having a re-award contract with Federal Government for jobs they can efficiently delivered but unfortunate intertwined with the ruling elite bringing Chargoury again into the picture, paints a vivid picture of the cyclical nature of corruption.
Amidst the veneer of progress, the populace is left grappling with the hollowness of promises. Extraneous allocations serve personal interests rather than the common good, plunging the nation deeper into the clutches of poverty. The time for resistance beckons—a collective stance against a government that thrives on the perpetuation of suffering. The fate of Nigeria teeters on the edge, caught in a precarious balance between the plundering hands of the elite and the resilience of a people yearning for justice, equality, and a leadership that values their shared humanity.
