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Mr. President, This Is Not a Dilapidated Nigeria: An Open Rebuke of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Extravagant Governance
Mr. President, This Is Not a Dilapidated Nigeria: An Open Rebuke of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Extravagant Governance.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared in 2023 that he inherited a “dilapidated Nigeria” from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, many Nigerians expected an urgent shift toward austerity, fiscal discipline, and a governance style that reflects the dire economic realities facing the nation; but what we have seen under Tinubu’s government is not the leadership of a man burdened with fixing a broken country. Instead, it is the portrait of extravagant ruling elites drowning the nation in reckless spending while millions of citizens are crushed under inflation, joblessness, insecurity, and despair.
It is for this reason that Emir of Kano and former CBN Governor Mohammed Sanusi II bluntly told Tinubu: “You do not claim to have inherited a dilapidated economy and then proceed to spend like a drunken sailor.” His words sting with truth and today, Nigerians demand a response beyond media propaganda and deflection.
Extravagant Spending Amid National Hardship
How can President Tinubu justify allocating ₦21 billion to renovate the Vice President’s residence in Abuja and an international conference center built for ₦240 million in 1991 renovated for ₦39 billion, when public universities are struggling to buy basic laboratory equipment and students sleep on floors? If the country is truly dilapidated, why should National Assembly members be gifted ₦70 billion worth of SUVs at ₦160 million each, in the same year citizens are taxed to death for basic services?
Even more appalling is the ₦5 billion budgeted for vehicles for the office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (an office that does not exist in the Nigerian Constitution). Is this not fraud with a fancy name?
Then comes the presidential fleet, which received an allocation of ₦5 billion in 2024, while another ₦5 billion was budgeted for a luxury presidential yacht. Let that sink in: a yacht in a nation where nearly 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty (according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 2022).
Corruption and Nepotism Masked as Governance
How can we take Tinubu’s reform agenda seriously when he awarded a ₦15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to Gilbert Chagoury, a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire and close ally of the President? Let us remember: Chagoury was once deported under former President Obasanjo for economic sabotage. Today, he’s back in favor; not by merit, but by political convenience.
What about the ₦5 billion allocated to the Presidential Tax Reform Committee headed by Taiwo Oyedele? To date, Nigerians have seen no report, no reform outcomes, just photo-ops, and hollow press statements.
And if things are so bad, why appoint the largest cabinet in Nigerian history (48 ministers) when the Oronsaye Report has already recommended the downsizing and merging overlapping ministries and agencies? What happened to that cost-saving reform?
The Subsidy Scam
Tinubu told Nigerians that he removed fuel subsidies to free up funds for development, but where is the money? How much has been saved and how has it been spent? Till now, there’s no transparent accounting.
On the contrary, after removing the subsidy, pump prices skyrocketed from ₦185/liter to over ₦900/liter in many states. Electricity tariffs followed suit. While Nigerians were told to “tighten their belts,” the government loosened theirs with gold-plated policies and unchecked looting.
Governance Without Empathy
Under Tinubu’s watch, education has become a privilege, not a right. Public university lecturers are owed a backlog of salaries from previous ASUU strikes. Students are being priced out of classrooms by inflated fees. And health? Only the wealthy can afford decent hospitals, while public health institutions resemble war zones.
Food prices have doubled. A 50kg bag of rice now costs over ₦75,000. Tomatoes, which used to be ₦300 per basket, now go for ₦10,000 in some markets. Yet, the President and his vice continue globe-trotting at taxpayers’ expense.
According to BudgIT’s 2024 report, the Tinubu government allocated ₦90 billion for Hajj pilgrimage. Is Nigeria now a theocracy? Should religion be more important than education, health, infrastructure, and human capital?
Meanwhile, each Senator reportedly earns ₦21 million monthly, and House of Reps members pocket ₦13.5 million. These increments were passed under Tinubu’s administration without a whisper of concern for the 133 million poor Nigerians.
The Deceptive “Renewed Hope”
Tinubu’s campaign slogan, “Renewed Hope,” has fast become “Renewed Hopelessness.” Nigerians have seen no signs of a turnaround. Instead, what they see is a system where:
Nepotism thrives: critical appointments are handed to cronies, not technocrats.
Security remains elusive: from Zamfara to Plateau, Benue to Borno, killings are rampant.
Inflation is unchecked: currently at 33.69% (May 2025), according to the NBS.
The naira is weak: trading at over ₦1,500/$1 in the parallel market.
Unemployment continues to soar: youth unemployment stands at 53.4%, the highest in West Africa.
IF THESE AREN’T SIGNS OF FAILURE, WHAT ARE?
Words from the Wise
The late Chinua Achebe once warned, “THE TROUBLE with NIGERIA is SIMPLY and SQUARELY a FAILURE of LEADERSHIP. ” That rings louder now than ever. Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka described our leadership as a “CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE MASQUERADING as GOVERNANCE.”
Even elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark recently declared: “This GOVERNMENT is not BEING SINCERE with NIGERIANS. You don’t REMOVE SUBSIDY and then begin to LIVE a LIFESTYLE of KINGS and EMPERORS.”
In the words of Prof. Pat Utomi: “LEADERSHIP is not about ACQUIRING luxury cars and private jets. It’s about making LIVES BETTER for the AVERAGE CITIZEN.”
Yet, what we see under President Tinubu is the institutionalization of greed. Leaders are getting richer, while citizens can barely survive.
Final Word
Mr. President, the claim that you inherited a “dilapidated economy” is not enough. What matters is what you’ve done with the economy since May 29, 2023. Sadly, the answer is clear: the cost of governance has exploded, the suffering of the people has intensified and trust in public institutions has eroded further.
We demand answers:
Where are the subsidy savings?
Why the jumbo budget for luxuries?
Why ignore the Oronsaye Report?
Why increase electricity tariffs without improved service?y
Why are critical sectors neglected while SUVs are bought in bulk?
Nigerians are watching. The world is watching. This trend must be arrested; urgently. It is time for accountability, not propaganda. If this administration is truly committed to rescuing Nigeria, then start acting like you inherited a failing state and not a treasure chest for elite consumption.
Enough of deception. Enough of waste.
Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
CHETACHI NWOGA-ECTON EMPOWERS 300 WIDOWS IN IMO
A renowned humanitarian and proud daughter of Mbaise in Imo State, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, has empowered over 300 widows and vulnerable women across the Owerri Zone, in a remarkable demonstration of compassion and service to humanity.
The empowerment programme, which took place at the Palace of the Eze of Ngor Okpala, HRH Eze Engr. Fredrick Nwachukwu, brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups and beneficiaries from different communities within the zone.
During the event, the widows received food materials and cash support, aimed at helping them meet basic needs and strengthen their small-scale businesses.
The initiative was widely applauded as a timely intervention to support women who often face severe economic hardship after losing their spouses.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation to High Chief (Dr.) Nwoga-Ecton, describing the empowerment as a lifeline that would help them take better care of their families.
Some widows, while offering prayers for the philanthropist, noted that the gesture had restored hope and dignity in their lives.
Fondly known as Ada Imo and Adaure, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton has earned widespread admiration for her consistent humanitarian efforts both within Nigeria and internationally.
Through her philanthropic activities and foundations, she has continued to support widows, children, and vulnerable communities with interventions in healthcare, welfare and economic empowerment.
Community stakeholders who attended the programme commended the Mbaise-born philanthropist for her generosity and dedication to uplifting the less privileged, noting that her actions reflect true leadership and compassion.
Observers say the initiative further reinforces her growing reputation as one of the most impactful humanitarians of this generation, whose commitment to humanity continues to inspire hope across Imo State and beyond.
UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF ACTING ADMIN KING OF THE UKA THRONE
March 6, 2026 – In a landmark royal decree, the Office of the Minister of Information & Culture of the United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA) has announced the appointment of His Imperial Royal Eminence, King Sir Benny Terry Danson, as the Acting Admin King of the UKA Throne. The nomination was issued through an official directive from the UKA Throne and is intended to pave the way for King Sir Benny Terry Danson’s eventual ascension to the title of Official Emperor Admin of the Throne, subject to the completion of necessary formal and constitutional processes.
The UKA Throne emphasized that the appointment underscores its unwavering commitment to competence, dedication, and integrity as the guiding principles for all administrative functions within the government structure. Officials stated that the decision is a strategic move to reinforce national leadership and accelerate the kingdom’s vision of becoming a more efficient, progressive, and unified nation.
The new Acting Admin King will oversee initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable growth, improving public service delivery, and promoting collective national development among citizens and followers of the UKA. The government expressed deep appreciation for the continuous love, loyalty, and support shown by the populace, noting that public engagement is essential for the kingdom’s shared prosperity and advancement.
Further details regarding the formalization of the appointment, including ceremonial schedules and administrative timelines, will be released to the public in due course through official communication channels.
Report Highlights:
– Nominee: King Sir Benny Terry Danson, Acting Admin King.
– Objective: Transition toward becoming Official Emperor Admin of the UKA Throne.
– Focus: Strengthening governance through competence, dedication, and integrity.
– Impact: Expected to drive national efficiency, progress, and unity.
– Next Steps: Official ceremonies and constitutional procedures to follow.
The Nima Memorial Care Foundation has announced plans for its highly anticipated Annual Symposium and Grand Ball Dinner, set to take place on Sunday, March 22, at the prestigious Marriott Hotel, Lagos.
The event will commence with a thought-provoking symposium before transitioning into an elegant Grand Ball Dinner.
This year’s theme, “Empowering Every Child: Breaking Barriers for Children with Disabilities,” underscores the Foundation’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity for vulnerable children across Nigeria. The symposium will convene experts, policymakers, educators, advocates, and key stakeholders to deliberate on practical solutions for dismantling societal, educational, and infrastructural barriers confronting physically challenged children.
Proceeds from the event will bolster the Foundation’s ongoing initiatives in healthcare, education, clean water access, and empowerment programs for underserved and orphaned children.
The dinner segment will feature special recognition awards presented to distinguished personalities from both government and private sectors who have shown exceptional commitment to advocacy, awareness, and support for vulnerable populations.
Hosted annually by veteran journalist and child rights advocate, Zainab Abdumalik Muhammed, Co-founder of the Foundation, the event also celebrates the enduring legacy of the late Nimatallahi Fashipe.
The Foundation invites media partners, corporate organizations, philanthropists, and well-meaning Nigerians to lend their voices and support to this noble cause.
For inquiries, partnerships, or RSVPs: +234 811 273 8706 | www.nmcf.ng�
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