A Nigerian political figure has defended public criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s potential reelection bid, asserting that dissent should focus on governance performance rather than regional allegiances. Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, former Minister of Police Affairs and a founding member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), drew parallels between current political tensions and Tinubu’s own past as a challenger to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a fellow southerner.
Speaking during an interview with Trust Television, Waziri dismissed suggestions that opposition to Tinubu stems from ethnic or geographic bias. He highlighted Tinubu’s role in leading resistance against Obasanjo’s 2003 reelection bid, despite both leaders sharing a southwestern Nigerian heritage. “All South West governors endorsed Obasanjo at the time, but Tinubu spearheaded the rejection,” Waziri stated, framing the president’s past actions as a precedent for holding leaders accountable.
Criticizing Tinubu’s current supporters as inconsistent, Waziri argued that the president should face the same scrutiny he once applied to Obasanjo. He contrasted the two administrations, describing Obasanjo’s tenure between 1999 and 2003 as a period of tangible progress marked by post-military rule recovery, infrastructure development, and efforts to bridge regional divides. “The Obasanjo government improved security, fostered unity, and rebuilt public trust,” Waziri said, suggesting that comparisons with the current administration reveal shortcomings in Tinubu’s leadership.
The former minister emphasized that Nigerians have the right to oppose leaders failing to meet expectations, regardless of their origins. “Resisting Tinubu is justified because he must be evaluated on his performance, not regional ties,” he asserted, calling for coalitions to hold the government accountable ahead of the 2027 general elections. Waziri’s remarks come amid growing debates over Nigeria’s economic challenges, including inflation and currency instability, which have fueled public dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s policies.
While acknowledging historical precedents of intra-regional political clashes, Waziri’s comments underscore deepening divisions within Nigeria’s opposition bloc as it seeks to consolidate strategies ahead of the next electoral cycle. Analysts note that his focus on policy over regionalism mirrors broader demands for transparency amid nationwide concerns about governance and living standards. The PDP, meanwhile, has yet to outline a unified stance on potential challengers to Tinubu, whose All Progressives Congress party continues to face internal and external pressures over its economic agenda.
Waziri’s intervention reflects a recurring theme in Nigerian politics, where leaders’ legacies are often measured against their predecessors. As public discourse intensifies, his call for accountability signals rising scrutiny of Tinubu’s administration as it approaches the midpoint of its term.
