Tinubu’s Ramadan Gesture

President Bola Tinubu seems to be on a charm offensive these days. Between hosting Ramadan Iftar for governors and political leaders, meeting with Catholic Bishops, and breaking fast with Senate members, our President is certainly making the rounds.

I see a President trying to sell his reforms while Nigerians continue to struggle with the harsh realities on the ground. The flurry of State House press releases reads like a carefully orchestrated PR campaign, but the ordinary citizens might be wondering: when will these promised benefits materialise in their daily lives?

To be sure, Tinubu’s message has been consistent – focus on the poor, be selfless, build a resilient country, and guarantee the future of our children. “We are spending money, not the people,” he proudly declared at the Ramadan Iftar with governors.

A curious statement given the economic hardship many Nigerians are experiencing. Trust our politicians to always put a positive spin on things. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, claims prices of goods and foodstuffs are “steadily dropping.” Really? Have they visited local markets lately?

While there might be slight improvements in some sectors, the everyday Nigerian is still finding it difficult to put food on the table.

RELATED

Israel-Iran Conflict: The Nigerian Connection

2 days ago

A Thinking Cap In North-Eastern Nigeria

3 days ago

Come to think of it, President Tinubu’s statement to the Catholic Bishops was particularly revealing. “Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me,” he said.

However, some of President Tinubu’s points deserve fair consideration. His emphasis that “poverty has no religious basis” and affects everyone regardless of faith is spot on. His call for collective efforts to fight poverty transcends religious and ethnic boundaries – a message Nigeria desperately needs in these divisive times.

Let’s even acknowledge that the Information Minister, Idris Mohammed, made a valid point about improved security. Travel between Abuja and Kaduna has indeed become safer compared to 2023. That’s progress worth noting. But is it enough? Farmers in many parts of the country still face security challenges, as the minister himself admitted.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, points to falling food prices, declining petrol prices, and stability in the forex market as evidence of reform success. He even projects economic growth of 4.3 to 4.6 percent this year. But are these projections based on solid economic indicators or political wishful thinking? Time will tell.

I find it interesting that when addressing Catholic Bishops, Tinubu mentioned that his wife is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church, as if this somehow proves he has no religious bias. This reminds me of the classic: “I can’t be biased, some of my best friends are…” argument. Leadership should be judged by policies and actions, not personal connections.

The truth is that governance is more than photo ops and breaking fast with the elite. While these gestures of unity are symbolically important, they must be backed by policies that actually reach the poorest Nigerians. President Tinubu’s NELFUND initiative to help students is commendable, but what about the millions who struggle with basic necessities?

Politicians on both sides of the divide need to go beyond rhetorical flourishes and actually deliver tangible results. The senators’ assurance of continued cooperation with the executive is fine, but what about holding the government accountable when policies hurt the average Nigerian?

Consequently, I think President Tinubu’s administration needs to balance its optimistic messaging with honest acknowledgment of the challenges Nigerians face. Yes, reforms often require short-term pain for long-term gain, but that pain must be distributed equitably, not disproportionately borne by the poor and vulnerable.

The Catholic Bishops’ call to redirect public funds from religious pilgrimages toward pressing national needs is spot on. Their suggestion that “religious practice in Nigeria fosters unity rather than division” should be a guiding principle for all our leaders, regardless of faith or political affiliation.

I strongly suggest that the government’s communication strategy focus less on telling Nigerians how good things are getting and more on acknowledging their struggles while clearly explaining the path forward. People can endure hardship if they see genuine progress and feel their leaders understand their pain.

Do I believe President Tinubu’s reforms can work? Possibly, if implemented with genuine concern for the most vulnerable. The removal of fuel subsidies might eventually prove necessary, but the transition support has been inadequate. The tax reforms might generate more resources, but the distribution mechanisms must be transparent and efficient.

I completely agree with President Tinubu when he says, “We are members of the same family but sleeping in different rooms.” But in this Nigerian family, some rooms have air conditioning, security, and full refrigerators, while others lack basic amenities. Until this fundamental inequality is addressed, unity statements will ring hollow.

Indeed, there should be genuine sincerity in the government’s approach to reforms, not just as political talking points but as genuine efforts to improve Nigerian lives.

The falling prices Shettima mentions need to be widespread and sustainable, not just temporary fluctuations that politicians can point to in press releases.

Besides, we should not make the mistake of thinking that a few months of reforms will transform Nigeria overnight. The road ahead remains long and challenging. What matters is whether ordinary Nigerians begin to experience tangible improvements in their daily lives.

The most important aspect of nation-building which President Tinubu’s administration often overlooks is the need for inclusive growth. Economic indicators mean little if the benefits aren’t felt by the majority. For now, the jury is still out on whether these reforms will deliver the promised Renewed Hope or simply renew the cycle of unfulfilled promises that Nigerians know all too well.