Nigeria in Reverse: How Tinubu’s APC Borrowed More in Two Years Than Buhari Did in Eight; With Nothing to Show for It. (Opinion) 

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over the reins of power in 2023, many Nigerians, even the skeptics, clung to a faint hope; hope that maybe, just maybe… the man who paraded himself as the “MASTER STRATEGIST” would finally change the economic trajectory of Nigeria. That hope, within two years, has been completely dashed. The data is damning and the suffering is deafening.

Under Muhammadu Buhari’s administration (2015–2023), the Nigerian government borrowed approximately ₦48 trillion. While the debt burden was heavy, it at least came with visible government intervention in the form of fuel subsidies, electricity subsidies, education support and other forms of economic cushioning that gave ordinary Nigerians a modicum of survival. Yet, even that regime was widely criticized for mismanagement, insecurity and sluggish governance.

But today, in less than two years, Bola Tinubu and his economic team (if one can even call it that) have borrowed ₦96 trillion, doubling Buhari’s eight-year debt figure without the shield of fuel subsidies, education support or telecom interventions. This is not just incompetence, it is daylight economic terrorism, weaponized against a helpless population.

“It is one thing to borrow; it is another to waste what you borrow while punishing the poor,” said economist Dr. Abubakar Sule in an interview with The Guardian. “Tinubu has weaponized suffering and made debt an addiction.”

The Illusion of Reform.
The Tinubu administration’s favorite buzzword is “REFORM.” He claimed that removing the fuel subsidy was a bold step towards economic recovery. Nigerians now know the bitter truth: the so-called subsidy removal was never about reform, but a revenue hijack.

Today, fuel prices have skyrocketed to over ₦900 per litre in some states. Transportation, food prices and basic goods have all become luxuries to the average citizen. Meanwhile, state-backed relief efforts remain largely cosmetic, if not completely non-existent.

Yet, the Tinubu led APC GOVERNMENT keeps BORROWING.

Where is the money going? Infrastructure? No. Healthcare? No. Education? Not even close. Security? Zero.

Instead, we’re seeing lavish government spending on luxury convoys, foreign trips, vanity projects like the N10 billion solar panels for Aso Rock and an obscene increase in the cost of governance. To quote Professor Pat Utomi, “This government behaves like a carnival of clowns dancing on the graves of the poor.”

The Death of Education and Social Protection.
Under Buhari, Nigeria’s public universities went on strike multiple times, but at least there were subsidies and dialogue. Under Tinubu, universities are crumbling, secondary school education is deteriorating and teachers are unpaid across several states. Yet the President recently announced scholarships for foreign students in St. Lucia, while Nigerian students sit idle in classrooms without chairs, teachers or hope.

How does a president remove educational subsidies at home and then dish out scholarships abroad? That is not statesmanship; it is state-sponsored stupidity.

In the words of Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, “We are living in a time when our leaders treat Nigeria as a burden they must escape from, not a country they are building.”

The Subsidy Lie and Economic Collapse.
When Tinubu removed fuel subsidies in May 2023, he proclaimed: “Subsidy is gone!” Nigerians cheered, hoping the savings would lead to increased capital projects, job creation and economic growth.

What has followed is an ECONOMIC HORROR MOVIE. The removal of fuel subsidy without any social cushioning measures has plunged millions into multi-dimensional poverty. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 133 million Nigerians are now classified as multi-dimensionally poor. This is not just a number; it is a nation being eaten alive from within.

Worse still, the government still pays quasi-subsidies through NNPC in a complex web of opaque forex deals. According to a report by Premium Times, the government secretly paid over ₦3.6 trillion in “under-recovery” to oil marketers in the past year alone proving that subsidy is not dead, it has just changed clothes and gone underground.

So what then was the purpose of the suffering?

A Government of Borrowers and Beggars.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed in Q1 2025 that the country’s public debt now stands at over ₦121 trillion, with Tinubu’s administration accounting for ₦96 trillion of that figure. This level of borrowing in just 23 months is not only unsustainable; it is economic sabotage disguised as policy.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has warned that the country is now spending 96% of its revenue on debt servicing. That means out of every ₦100 the government earns, ₦96 goes to repaying debt, leaving only ₦4 for education, healthcare, infrastructure and security.

This is not GOVERNANCE. This is NATIONAL ECONOMIC ENSLAVEMENT.

Agents of APC vs Agents of Change.
It must be said loud and clear: anyone who is against the coalition movement to unseat APC in 2027 is an enemy of the Nigerian people. They are either benefitting from this disaster or are complicit in its continuation. Every well-meaning Nigerian, regardless of party lines, tribe or religion, must now unite behind a people-centered coalition.

This is no longer about party politics; it is about NATIONAL SURVIVAL.

The Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and splinter PDP blocs forming a revolutionary alliance is not a threat to democracy, it is democracy’s last hope. The fear the ruling party is showing (blocking event venues, intimidating coalition leaders and promoting disinformation) is a confirmation that they are threatened by the truth.

“When the government is more afraid of a coalition than Boko Haram, you know the system is collapsing,” said activist and writer Aisha Yesufu.

APC Must Go: 2027 is Non-Negotiable.
The 2023 election was marred by INEC’s failure, judicial compromise and massive electoral manipulation. Despite the controversy, Bola Tinubu was sworn in; but legitimacy cannot be enforced by courts alone, it must be earned through service, competence and results.

Tinubu has failed on all three counts.

The APC has destroyed the ECONOMY, eroded HUMAN DIGNITY and CRIMINALIZED the right to PROTEST. Under their watch:

The naira collapsed from ₦450/$ to over ₦1,500/$.

Inflation soared to over 34% as of May 2025.

Food prices have more than tripled, with basic items like rice costing over ₦70,000 per bag.

Unemployment and underemployment have become the norm.

Nigerians cannot afford another four years of this nightmare. 2027 must be the end of APC and the beginning of a people-first era.

Final Word.
We must not be fooled by propaganda, token gestures or last-minute giveaways as 2027 approaches. Nigeria is on life support and the ventilator is failing. The debt crisis, the collapse of social systems and the impoverishment of the masses are all signs of a failed state in the making.

We can still change the story. The coalition is the beginning of Nigeria’s rescue mission and those who oppose it are either afraid of change or accomplices in destruction.

“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

In 2027, Nigerians must choose resistance. The future of over 200 million people is at stake.

#EndAPCMisrule #CoalitionForRescue #NigeriaWillRiseAgain

Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Primate Ayodele’s 2014 Prophecy Comes True as Ladoja Set to Emerge Next Olubadan

It was one of those eventful days in December 2014 when former Oyo State governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, was fervently pursuing a return to the Oyo State Government House. In the heat of his political ambitions, he paid a visit to renowned Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele, at his INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos State.

As is customary during election seasons in Nigeria, spiritual leaders often play influential roles. Their prophetic declarations are sometimes interpreted as divine endorsements, with many politicians going as far as featuring these prophecies in their campaign materials to show that they are divinely chosen. Ladoja may have been expecting Primate Ayodele to prophesy his victory at the polls. However, what he received was a surprising, almost jarring revelation.

Instead of assuring him of electoral success, Primate Ayodele advised him to shelve his gubernatorial ambition and focus on the traditional stool of the Olubadan, stating clearly that it was his divine destiny to ascend the throne of Ibadanland. The prophecy caught Ladoja off guard. Despite the unexpected counsel, he continued with his political campaign, but as fate would have it, he lost the election in a decisive and disappointing manner.

In the years that followed, Ladoja remained a force within Oyo State politics, albeit no longer as a contestant. He transitioned into the role of political godfather, supporting and mentoring younger politicians, including Governor Seyi Makinde. While the two had a notable fallout in 2023, Ladoja’s influence in the political dynamics of the state remained undeniable.

Though he took a back seat in electoral politics, his path toward becoming the Olubadan gradually gained momentum. However, it wasn’t without its own controversies. One of the most contentious issues arose from a constitutional review of the Ibadan traditional system, which required all future Olubadan-designates to don a beaded crown. Initially, Ladoja opposed this innovation, as it clashed with the traditional customs he had long upheld. At one point, the Olubadan-in-Council even threatened to disqualify him if he persisted in rejecting the crown.

Eventually, Ladoja yielded to the evolving tradition, wearing the beaded crown and thereby positioning himself back in line for the throne. His acceptance was seen by many as a pragmatic move — a sacrifice for peace, progress, and the preservation of the ancient Ibadan tradition. With the recent passing of the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, and following the brief transition of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, all eyes have now turned to Ladoja as the next rightful occupant of the revered stool.

This moment marks not just a personal milestone for Ladoja, but also a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy. Over a decade ago, Primate Ayodele foresaw what many could not — a political titan destined for a royal legacy. The realization of this prophecy serves as a testament to the prophet’s spiritual insight, but also underscores the often unpredictable path of destiny.

As Ibadanland prepares to welcome a new Olubadan, many residents and cultural custodians see this transition as a unifying chapter. Ladoja’s elevation could usher in a new era of harmony between modern political influence and traditional authority. For observers of both politics and spirituality in Nigeria, this story stands as a poignant reminder that sometimes, the throne one is destined for may not be at the center of politics — but at the heart of culture and tradition.

Senate Set To Begin Probe As Lawyers Protest, Seeking Suspension Of Ahmed NMDPRA CEO Enters Day Two

The Senate had said it is set to begin probe of Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as the protest of public interest lawyers to the National Assembly enters day two.

The lawyers stormed the National Assembly, Tuesday, calling on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to immediately suspend and prosecute Farouk Ahmed.

The lawyers cited grave allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and conflict of interest against Ahmed.

In the petition signed by Samuel Ihensekhien Jnr and three others, they also demanded that the National Assembly commence an immediate investigation, recommend Ahmed’s immediate sack and suspension, and arrest.

Senator Kawu Ismaila, Chairman, Senate Committee on Oil and Gas who received the petition on behalf of the Senate promised to liaise with other members of the committee and investigate the agency.

“One of our constitutional rights is to do oversight. We will look into the allegation, those who are concerned should come and defend themselves.

“We will invite you to come and defend the petition. We will call you to come and defend the allegation because we must do it in accordance with the law.

“When we have a copy of the petition we will sit down together with your leaders and look at the allegation act in accordance with the law”

he petitioners also called for the
freezing of Ahmed’s local and offshore assets and sweeping reforms in the appointment and oversight of regulatory agency heads in the oil and gas sector.

The lawyers described Ahmed’s actions as a clear abuse of office, a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust, and a severe breach of the fiduciary duty required of all public servants.

” We urge the Senate to commence an immediate and public hearing investigative hearing into these allegations, summoning Mr. Farouk Ahmed and relevant stakeholders..

“Recommend his immediate sack and suspension from office to prevent interference with ongoing investigations.Refer this matter to the EFCC, ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau for coordinated criminal investigation and prosecution.

“In the event he has absconded from Nigeria immediately Call for collaboration with international security agencies like the Interpol to ensure his extradition back to Nigeria and the freezing of his local and offshore assets.

“Institute sweeping reforms in the appointment, conduct, and oversight of regulatory agency heads in the oil and gas sector.

“This is a defining moment for the National Assembly to rise in defense of public interest, uphold its constitutional oversight duty, and send a strong message that corruption, abuse of power, and impunity have no place in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The petition is backed by civil society organisations, including the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, the Concerned Young Professionals Network, and the Coalition for Public Accountability (COPA), who have held protests calling for Ahmed’s suspension and prosecution.