By Damilola Omosebi
Lagos, Nigeria – There are leaders, and then there are visionaries men and women whose very presence on the political stage alters the course of history. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Jagaban of Borgu, is one such figure. Yet, as his first term as President of Nigeria nears its midpoint, the nation stands at a crossroads—bewildered by the sheer weight of his ambition, emotionally torn between skepticism and hope, and forced to confront an undeniable truth: Nigeria may not survive without Tinubu’s second term.
This is not blind loyalty. This is not sycophancy. This is an investigative dive into the man, the myth, the enigma—and why, despite the turbulence, Nigeria must allow him to finish what he started.
The Relentless Reformer: A First Term Under the Microscope
When Tinubu took office in 2023, Nigeria was a sinking ship; an economy gasping under debt, insecurity strangling the North and Middle Belt, and corruption festering like an open wound. His administration inherited a nation on life support.
Yet, in just over a year, Tinubu has done the unthinkable:
- The Bold Removal of Fuel Subsidy– A decision that sent shockwaves across the nation, triggering outrage, protests, and economic panic. But buried beneath the chaos was a cold, hard truth: Nigeria could no longer afford to hemorrhage trillions on an unsustainable subsidy regime. The long-term vision? Redirect funds to infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Painful? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely.
- The Naira Float Policy – Another seismic shift. The Central Bank, under Tinubu’s watch, finally allowed the Naira to find its true value in the forex market. The immediate aftermath was brutal; hyper-inflation, a crashing currency, and public fury. But economists whisper what politicians won’t say: Nigeria’s economy was a house of cards. Tinubu didn’t create the crisis; he exposed it. Now, the rebuilding begins.
- The Aggressive Push for Local Refinery Production – Dangote Refinery’s completion and the revival of Port Harcourt and Warri refineries signal a deliberate move toward energy independence. If sustained, Nigeria could finally break free from the vicious cycle of fuel imports.
But here’s the bewildering part: Why is Tinubu the only one willing to take these painful steps?
The Emotional Paradox: Love Him or Hate Him, You Can’t Ignore Him
Tinubu evokes raw, unfiltered emotions. To some, he is a Machiavellian strategist, a political godfather who “installed” presidents and now sits on the throne himself. To others, he is Nigeria’s last hope; a leader with the courage to make the hard choices others avoided for decades.
The emotional whiplash is real.
- The Frustration – Nigerians are suffering. The cost of living is unbearable. Businesses are collapsing. Anger is justified. But ask yourself: Did anyone truly believe decades of rot could be fixed in one year?
- The Hope*– Look at Lagos. The Tinubu blueprint transformed a chaotic megacity into Africa’s economic heartbeat. If he could do it there, *why not nationwide?*
- The Fear – What if he fails? What if the reforms don’t yield results? But the greater fear should be: What if we abandon the reforms too soon?
The Investigative Revelation: Who Stands to Lose if Tinubu Succeeds?
Behind the outrage, a troubling question lingers: Who benefits from Tinubu’s failure?
- The Subsidy Cartels – The same shadowy figures who grew fat on Nigeria’s fuel subsidy scam are fighting back. They want a return to the old system—where billions vanished into private pockets.
- The Forex Manipulators – The black market billionaires who thrived on Nigeria’s distorted exchange rate are now scrambling. A stable Naira is their nightmare.
- The Political Old Guard – Many of Tinubu’s loudest critics are the same politicians who looted Nigeria dry. They fear a leader who cannot be controlled.
This is not conspiracy. This is fact.
The Unavoidable Conclusion: Nigeria Needs Four More Years
Tinubu’s first term is a demolition phase—breaking down the rotten structures. His second term must be the reconstruction.
- Will the economy stabilize? – Early signs suggest it might. Inflation will peak before it falls. The Naira will stabilize. But only if we stay the course.
- Will security improve? – The military is gaining ground. With proper funding (from saved subsidy money), the tide can turn.
- Will corruption reduce? – Tinubu’s Lagos was no paradise, but it worked. The same systems can be replicated nationally.
Nigeria is in the ICU. Do we pull the plug now, or give the doctor time to operate?
The world is watching. History is recording. And Nigerians must decide: Do we have the courage to see this through?
Four more years may be the difference between collapse and resurrection.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR deserves his second term. Not because he is perfect, but because Nigeria cannot afford to quit midway.
