Politics
Simple Actions President Bola Tinubu Must Take Now by Olufemi Aduwo
Simple Actions President Bola Tinubu Must Take Now
by Olufemi Aduwo
Very Short Term:
The golden rule when you face a crisis of any sort is to allay fears of those concerned, including you, the leader. Fear kills more than bullets.
Mr. President, sir:
1. Get on the television and radio and reassure Nigerians that you are on top of the situation. It should not be a long speech at all but maximum of five minutes. Translate the speech into as many local languages as possible. Let the governors and parliamentarians do the same to percolate to the grassroots.
2. In that speech, plead for more understanding. Tell Nigerians you will address them again, in four weeks latest, on measures to address the situation. Reassure them that you will tackle the situation decisively. Take the advice I will give you here to your cabinet and the National Council of State so they can make inputs and perfect them.
3. Announce cuts in government expenditure especially the lifestyle of political leaders. Sir, don’t you wonder how Nigerians who bear these unbearable inflation survive? It’s not rocket science, Mr. President. The first rule under hyper-inflation is to go back to that rudimentary economics taught in the secondary school: Scarcity, Scale of Preference, Choices, Opportunity Cost.
This present crisis doesn’t need economic experts to solve. We only need to apply common sense!
(a) Prices are soaring because of scarcity.
(b) Our money can no longer buy all the things we used to buy.
(c) We now have to make a scale of preference. We need the things we need (not want) on a scale of preference. Non-essential things are off that list right away.
(d) We now make choices (priorities), purchases within that scale. This means that even not all the items that make that scale will make it in our Naira allocation.
(e) We now increase our earning to cover those items on that scale (remember they are essential) but even essential things vary in terms how essential. Some can tarry for a while.
Summary:
When in hyperinflation, don’t panic. Panic will complicate the problem. And may even kill. Smile broadly. Then, Think. Plan. Be honest. Have that will power.
That is how we have been surviving. Every poor, even illiterate Nigerian family heads; this is what they have been doing, sir. They may not know any economic terms, but that’s what they do. And I am writing here, as a social crusader with common sense; it is for you as the head of the Nigerian household economy, just do the above. Expenditure saved is income earned. It starts from you, Mr. President.
That moves us to the short term.
Short Term (After one year)
1. Stop all new civil projects at the federal level for the rest of the year. Advice states to do the same. Divert money saved to agriculture. It takes between three to eight months for most food crops in Nigeria to be ripen for harvest. Thank God, the food crisis is happening at the very beginning of the agric season. And, sir, a farmer that doesn’t plant at the beginning of the farming season, won’t reap anything at harvest time. That’s what Adam Smith meant in his ‘Theory of Factors of Production’. It doesn’t need PhD to understand and apply, sir.
2. Continue funding of already approved civil projects so that real income will not shrink in the blue collar sector. Do mostly direct labour so income can circulate to Nigerians.
3. Import strategic food e.g. rice, beans, tomatoes, pepper, groundnut oil, etc. There is no shame in this, sir. It’s food first in the hierarchy of needs. Whatever it will take in the short run, make food available to Nigerians. Don’t go into who caused the food problem, for now. ‘Ebi kii wo inu, ki nkan mii o wobe’. (A hungry person will not listen to any other thing except you give him or her food). The dead don’t eat food.
4. NNPCL must start pushing locally refined petrol (and diesel for the real sector). Meanwhile, give NNPCL dollar at controlled rate to import fuel. Call it subsidy or whatever name, if you like. Peg the sales to control prices and monitor ruthlessly. We are in serious crisis. Be ruthless, sir. Some people have said you can fast track Dangote. Anyhow. Just make fuel available, sir. Again, Adam Smith! Production!
5. Identify growers of major foodstuff and support them directly through state governments.
6. Release CBN probe report and government white paper. Sir, you are wasting too much time on this!
Medium Term (12-18 months):
1. Probe the banking sector and follow up with an enabling law to jail culprits.
Trial should be through Tribunals, not courts. Trial should be statute barred so that in ten months, the Supreme Court can give final judgments. From Tribunal to Appeal Court, to Supreme Court!
I know many of them are your paddy. But they have had enough, sir. Tell them ‘O To Ge’ (It’s enough). They will understand, if they are honest. They have bled Nigeria for too long. Nigeria must not die in your hands. Sing Sonny Okosuns hit track to them; “Which way Nigeria”.
Let’s save Nigeria. So Nigeria won’t die
2. Start Civil Servants Miscellaneous Offences Tribunal to jail corrupt civil servants. Like the bankers, the civil servants will also understand. Those doing the damage in the system are not more than two per cent of civil servants! You know this, Mr. President.
3. Rejig the National Food Policy to plan how we can be food sufficient. Sir, we have not been able to feed ourselves in Nigeria. Bible says a man not able to feed his family or household is not fit to head that family. It means if you are president and the nation is not self-sufficient in food production (not food importation), then you are not fit to be president, sir. I am not the one saying so, sir. It’s God. You are the Head of this household called Nigeria now by His grace. God has blessed us too much. What we cannot grow in Nigeria does not exist!
4. License new agric banks (at least 10 of them, facing agriculture funding squarely). They must be operational before the end of this year, nationwide.
To hell with all these criminal banks! License at least 50 small medium industry banks and 50 agriculture micro finance banks to start operations before December 2024. Commercial farming should be the goal here. They must be monitored to stay within their portfolios.
5. Make 40 modular refineries strategically located nationwide to be operational. State and local governments can save 50 per cent of their allocations for four months to own not more than 20 per cent equity in these small refineries within their states. This will not only solve the petrol problem on time but also serve as IGR for them in the near future.
Long Term (2 years and above):
1. Sustain medium-term policies highlighted above. In strategic road mapping, execution is key, sir.
(2.) Resume civil works in the public sector to create employment and incomes.
(3). Start agro processing for exports. No export of raw agriculture products again.
(4). Rejig all Federal Universities of Agric to face agriculture, or scrap them. State governments should start Universities of Agric. A state like Ogun with excess varsities and polytechnics should convert quite a number of them to Agric varsities with emphasis on practical training. All polytechnics should be converted to technical universities to work out how to manufacture so many things that we import, preparatory to banning their importation. Local industries cannot survive if we don’t ban these imports.
(5.) Sir, Adam Smith is turning in his grave, cursing Nigeria. We are poor because we do not produce, our taste is strictly for what we don’t produce! We can never be rich like that, unless we go into banking, politics or religion! Each time Nigerian Customs says it has made billions of Naira, I cry. They should make income from excise income (exports) not imports. Imports increase the need for dollars! Exports bring in dollars! Common sense nah.
(6.) Ban frivolous imports. Notice should have been given right now that in 12 months, these useless imports ‘are gone’. They are the ‘subsidies’ that must be ‘gone’, not the one on petrol. In the real sense, Mr. President, you actually ‘subsidize’ these frivolous items; toothpick, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. name it. Enter any supermarket or market, 80 percent of goods there are bought with dollars. So, when dollar goes up, the prices must go up. Sir, ban them! Don’t follow Reno Omokri’s lame advice that Nigerians should boycott imported goods. Omokri lives abroad. We here can only buy what we see. Enabling laws are needed here, so that if you display banned commodities, you go to jail. Please expand this for effective implementation of these laws.
(7.) My President, I have not suggested Price Controls. They don’t work. I am a practical person. I am driven by theories driven by research. There is no economic theory bigger than the Theory of Demand and Supply. So, do not waste time and money setting up price controls? The moment supply exceeds demand, prices will crash. And when we have excess food, we store, process and export to countries like Niger, Mali. We export to USA and UK. Check out the foodstuff prices in the UK. They are high sir. We can make good dollars and pounds exporting food to them there sir.
Finally, sir, execution is important. Our problem has always been lack of executive will, not lack of ideas. I have never been scared of any crisis in my life. As the crisis is brewing, God is already giving me ideas to tackle it. And it’s so for most Nigerians at household levels.
See, Mr. President, this economic crisis is no big deal if you want to tackle it. I swear. There is no need for any economic wizardry. We need just common sense and discipline or willpower. It’s the same way we manage our household income. It’s the same way my students are managing their incomes and expenditures! My students are fine! They are not happy, but they are fine. They are still making their hairs and coming to classes! But many of them have reduced what they eat and how many times they eat daily.
Me too, I no longer fry eggs. I boil them.
That way I save money on groundnut oil, salt, gas, onion and pepper. And if yam is not careful, I will ban it, like I did bread. No food is bigger than me in my household. I call the shots. Meat is only for my daughter now. At over 50, I don’t need meat. I take fish. Local fish. Not imported fish. It’s only our government and national assembly that have refused to change. They still use uncommon sense. Every household in Nigeria is applying the common sense!
Sir, economics is common sense made difficult!
Thank you for listening and being ready to take these actions, Mr. President.
Your patriotic subject,
Olufemi Samson Aduwo, Permanent Representative, CCDI to ECOSOC/United Nations.
Politics
Lagos APC in Turmoil as Chairmanship Aspirants Reject ‘Imposition Plot’ Ahead of Council Polls
PDP in Crisis: The Political Exodus That May End Africa’s Largest Party
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Never did we imagine that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), once hailed as Africa’s largest political coalition, would witness such dramatic erosion from within. But in today’s Nigeria, where political loyalty is as volatile as the economy, the PDP is now hanging by a thread. What was once a formidable machinery that ruled Nigeria for 16 unbroken years has become a political shadow, limping from one internal crisis to another, gasping under the weight of ambition, betrayal and irrelevance.
This is no longer mere speculation. This is a full-blown political exodus.
The warning signs have long been in the air, but the silence of the party’s leadership only emboldened the defections. More PDP governors, senators and influential political actors are preparing to “throw in the dirty towel” to use a common Nigerian parlance and “get a change of toiletries” from a more promising political vehicle. The All Progressives Congress (APC), despite its governance failures, has remained the dominant force. Meanwhile, Labour Party (LP) and its ideological frontmen have seized the imagination of Nigeria’s politically conscious youth. Where is the PDP in all this? Nowhere near the pulse of the nation.
The Collapse of a Giant
Once upon a time, PDP stood like a colossus, commanding national attention and holding sway across all six geopolitical zones. In 2007, it controlled 28 out of 36 state governorships. By 2015, that number had dropped to 21. Today in 2025, the PDP controls just 9 states, an embarrassing decline that reveals the party’s waning appeal and fractured internal unity. Analysts have blamed this on the party’s failure to manage its primaries democratically, an outdated power-sharing formula and the overbearing influence of godfathers.
“Power is not something you hold forever. You must constantly renew your legitimacy through the people,” said late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, a former PDP leader known for his integrity. The party has clearly forgotten this principle.
The Atiku Albatross
The PDP’s 2023 presidential campaign was marred by one fatal error: the insistence of fielding Atiku Abubakar, a serial contestant whose political capital has been dwindling with each election cycle. The PDP’s inability to learn from its past mistakes and reinvent itself through younger, credible candidates shows how deeply the party has lost touch with contemporary realities.
Even within the party, Atiku is increasingly seen not as a unifier but a divider. His constant grip on the presidential ticket has frustrated younger aspirants and caused internal blockades that push members away.
“One man cannot hold a whole party to ransom,” said former Senate President Bukola Saraki in a private meeting leaked last year. That message reflects what many insiders are saying in hushed tones.
The Shockwaves of 2027
As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, permutations are in full gear. And while Atiku may be warming up for a record-breaking sixth attempt at the presidency, his influence is anything but stable. The PDP is already seeing rebellion from within, particularly from southern blocs who believe it is time the North stopped dominating the party’s presidential ambition.
Key political actors are already exploring alternative alliances. Rumours abound of secret talks between PDP governors and Tinubu’s men. Some are also aligning quietly with Peter Obi’s Labour Party, hoping to hedge their bets.
A recent poll by SBM Intelligence showed that 61% of PDP voters in the South-East and South-South are “open to switching allegiance” if the party fails to restructure before 2026. That’s a political red flag.
Why Governors Are Jumping Ship
What exactly is triggering this mass departure? The reasons are numerous, but four stand out:
Self-Preservation: Most Nigerian governors operate in a transactional political environment. Their loyalty lies not with ideology but with continuity of power. With the PDP unlikely to win the presidency in 2027, many are seeking new alliances to protect their political future.
Lack of Internal Democracy: The PDP has failed repeatedly to conduct transparent and fair primaries. Recent gubernatorial primaries in states like Delta, Rivers and Abia were marred by allegations of imposition and backdoor deals.
Atiku’s Grip: The feeling that Atiku is determined to contest in 2027, regardless of public sentiment, is unsettling. Many believe that as long as he remains a central force in the party, others have no space to thrive.
Tinubu’s Strategic Poaching: The current APC-led administration is systematically targeting opposition strongholds. Governors are being enticed with promises of federal appointments, project funding and legal shields from EFCC investigations.
Can the PDP Survive?
This is the pressing question. The answer lies in whether the party is willing to undergo painful introspection and renewal. It must adopt a bottom-up approach, re-engage with the grassroots, purge itself of godfatherism and allow credible young candidates to emerge.
It also needs to redefine its ideology. The APC may have failed economically, but it succeeded politically by branding itself as a party of change, regardless of how false that branding turned out to be. The PDP has no distinct narrative today.
What the Experts Say
Prof. Ayo Olukotun, a leading political scientist at Obafemi Awolowo University, recently argued: “The PDP is a classic case of political entropy. Without internal reform, it will disintegrate not by collapse, but by irrelevance.”
Similarly, Dr. Remi Adekoya, political analyst and author of “Politics of Identity in Nigeria”, notes: “The PDP has become a party for political pensioners. It is not inspiring to young voters nor innovative in its messaging.”
A Last Chance
If Atiku and the old guard truly care about the future of PDP, they must step back and allow a new leadership to emerge. Nigeria is moving on. The PDP must do the same. The 2027 ticket cannot be an inheritance. It must be earned. And it must reflect the shifting demographics of Nigerian voters, 65% of whom are under the age of 35.
This is not just about Atiku. It is about the soul of the PDP and whether it can reclaim its place in Nigerian political history or fade into obscurity like the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of the 1990s.
Furthermore
History is not kind to political parties that fail to evolve. The PDP has been served many warnings. The defections we see today are not just acts of betrayal; they are symptoms of decay. If the party does not reinvent itself quickly and decisively, it will not survive the coming storm.
The words of Chinua Achebe ring truer than ever: “A man who brings home ant-infested firewood should not be surprised when lizards come to feast.” The PDP brought this upon itself. The only question now is: will it learn, or will it perish?
Politics
Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants
Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants
Acknowledging that the scourge of brazen extortion by miscreants on Lagos streets was on the increase, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohunda Moshood Jimoh, and heads of other security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering with the latest security apparatuses, increase surveillance on black spots across the metropolis, and, where necessary, arrest such miscreants, and have the state rehabilitate them.
Hon. Sanni Okanlawon (representing Kosofe Constituency 1) raised the alarm at plenary Tuesday, May 6, under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ stating; “The unlawful extortion of stranded and innocent motorists by miscreants remains a growing concern that demands urgent attention. Nobody on the streets of Lagos is immune to their activities. If left unchecked, they could render the state unsafe.” He painted different unsavoury scenarios of how the street urchins operate brazenly, which he described as unacceptable, and called for urgent intervention to protect road users.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho Constituency II) noted that this particular trend threatens the safety and sanity of road transportation in the state. Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1) corroborated this and emphasised the need for active surveillance by security agencies. He also suggested the involvement of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), noting that many of the offenders act under the influence of illegal substances.
Similarly, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu Constituency II) urged the Commissioner of Police to set up a tactical team dedicated mainly to road monitoring because “It is high time the government took the bull by the horns.” Commending Hon. Okanlawon for moving the motion, Hon. Adebola Shabi (Lagos Mainland Constituency 2) said local government chairmen have a huge role in combating this menace. Effective strategies, she added, have to be devised while recommending the installation of CCTV cameras at identified black spots.
However, Hon. Obafemi Saheed (Kosofe Constituency 2) disclosed that the government has invested heavily in security through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, and, therefore, should not sit back and watch miscreants take over the city.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa commended Hon. Okanlawon and the lawmakers who contributed robustly to the debate. He said that the police and other security agencies, including the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), must collaborate to ensure that Lagos remains safe for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.
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