The Unfair Bashing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: A Historical Perspective

By: Oliver Okeke

Pointing accusing fingers and throwing tantrums at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) for our individual/collective economic woes is a misnomer. No President of Nigeria has received a higher volume of criticism from citizens or subjects than PBAT. Former President Muhammadu Buhari (2015-2023) had his fair share of criticism, which reached a crescendo that I never thought another Nigerian president would receive more bile, criticism, death threats, and casting of aspersions than Buhari. But here we are, in a short space of one year, the hell was let loose on the head of PBAT, and former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is now considered a saint comparable to the PBAT administration that has not clocked two years in office.

To understand the reasons for such hatred for him, irrespective of his nascent administration, let’s examine Nigeria’s economic history. From the administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1979-1983) to the regimes of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (1983-1985) and finally, to that of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) (1985-1993), Nigerians have experienced tough economic conditions or challenges, notably the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) of IBB, implemented in 1986. This was one of the conditionalities given to Nigeria by the Bretton Woods Institutions before more loans would be granted to solve her economic challenges. However, despite implementing SAP, the severe economic downturn remained unabated, and IBB declared in 1992 that “Nigeria’s problem had defied all economic solutions.”

This historical context shows that Nigeria’s economic challenges are not new and have been faced by various administrations. Yet, many Nigerians do not hate IBB like they do hate PBAT today. Many see him as a hero and pay homage to him as such. The same applies to other administrations, including the interim government of Earnest Shonekon (1993), Abacha (1993-1998), Abdulsalami (1998-1999), Obasanjo (1999-2007), Yaradua (2007-2010), and Goodluck (2010-2015).

It’s essential to note that each administration has had its unique challenges and criticisms. However, the level of hatred and criticism faced by PBAT is unprecedented. This raises questions about the motivations behind such attacks and whether they are fair, considering the historical context of Nigeria’s economic challenges.

But before I delve deeper into the reasons behind the conspicuous hatred towards PBAT, I must emphatically state, without any fear of equivocation or contradiction, that many of Nigeria’s problems are self-inflicted. Just like his predecessors, PBAT, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, bears the ultimate responsibility for the nation’s affairs. However, when the citizenry and government work at cross purposes, the country’s problems cannot be solved in a short span.

In a situation where some individuals derive pleasure from Nigeria’s hardships and bad news about the country dominates headlines in major print and electronic media, as well as social media outlets, the end of our sufferings seems distant. For Nigeria to prosper, we must believe in our country, demonstrate loyalty to the constituted authorities at all levels of government, and undergo a radical transformation in our perception of governance, politics, and socioeconomic well-being.

If we fail to address these shortcomings and continue to engage in egocentric, ethnic, bigoted, and stereotyped politics, we will remain stagnant. Acknowledging and attempting to amend these flaws is the first step towards finding lasting solutions to our myriad socioeconomic challenges. It is essential to recognize that our collective progress is hindered by our individual and collective actions, and only through a unified effort can we hope to overcome our difficulties and build a brighter future for Nigeria.

From the foregoing, it is clear that the Nigeria problem is a deeply entrenched and complex pandemic spanning multiple decades and not solely caused by one man, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT), and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Rather, it is a multifaceted and hydra-headed conundrum of economic, social, and political issues that predate the current administration. PBAT is not the root of our problems; instead, he is a catalyst for addressing the myriad economic challenges confronting our nation.

In reality, PBAT is not hated by the majority of Nigerians, but rather by a coalition of special interest groups, including:

• Elites who benefit from the status quo
• Buccaneers and subterranean forces seeking to undermine progress
• Economic saboteurs and election losers
• Social media influencers spreading misinformation
• Oil and forex cabals seeking to maintain their grip on the economy
• Jealous individuals and groups envious of PBAT’s success
• Religious bodies and institutions with vested interests
• The major losers against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) in the 2023 presidential election, including the Obidient family and their allies, have been vociferously against PBAT.

Notable among these losers are:

• Peter Obi and his Labour Party supporters
• Atiku Abubakar and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyalists
• Other opposition figures and parties who failed to secure the presidency

These individuals and groups have been engaging in a concerted effort to discredit PBAT’s victory, despite the US and other international observers affirming the election’s credibility.
The groups and individuals have formed a strong opposition against the administration, aiming to return the country to the status quo ante, where they held sway. However, PBAT’s political prowess, deep pockets, and impressive democratic credentials make him a formidable force, unmatched by his rivals in the last Presidential election. His commitment to tackling Nigeria’s challenges head-on has earned him the reputation as a political superbrat, willing to take on entrenched interests to drive positive change.

Oliver Okeke
Obol Kobil 1 of Letamkpankom Kingdom can be reached on: donolive1@gmail.com