Fellow citizens of the South-West, let us speak plainly: our region, once the beacon of progressivism in Nigeria, is under siege—not from outsiders, but from one of our own.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu rose to prominence claiming to be the heir of Obafemi Awolowo, a man whose governance transformed this region through education, healthcare, and deliberate social investment. But what has become of that promise? Where is the progressive leadership we once knew?
From Welfare to Hardship
Awolowo governed with a clear principle: government exists to serve the people, not to enrich a few elites. Free education, healthcare access, infrastructure development; these were not empty slogans; they were the reality of millions.
Tinubu, in contrast, has imposed brutal economic reforms without cushioning the masses: Removal of fuel subsidies, pushing families into hardship; Currency manipulation that erodes purchasing power; Tax pressure on struggling small businesses. This is not governance; this is punishment disguised as policy.
The People Pay, the Elite Profit
Across the South-West, ordinary citizens bear the full weight of these policies. Meanwhile, political insiders and the elite remain insulated, thriving amidst the suffering. This is the antithesis of Awolowo’s vision, a sharp pivot from leadership that prioritized human capital and social justice to governance that rewards the privileged few while leaving the many to struggle.
Silence Is Complicity
Once, the South West spoke truth to power. Once, it resisted injustice with courage and intellect. Today, many remain silent, either out of political loyalty, fear, or misplaced calculation.
Let me be clear: silence in the face of suffering is not neutrality. It is complicity.
The Choice Before Us
We are at a decisive moment. The South West faces a stark choice:
Defend Awolowo’s legacy—people-first, justice-driven governance
Or continue on a path where loyalty to power outweighs concern for the citizenry. History is watching. Our children are watching. And the world is watching.
Enough Is Enough
Bola Ahmed Tinubu may wield power, but power without conscience is tyranny.
The South West deserves leaders who invest in people, not just in political networks. We deserve policies that protect, empower, and uplift, not punish and abandon.
It is time to speak, to act, and to reclaim the progressive soul of this region.
Awolowo’s vision demands it. The people demand it. And silence is no longer an option.
