Tinubu’s Disconnect from Reality: Policies that Will Never Work – Udenta
Introduction
Professor Udenta O. Udenta, the founding National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), has expressed serious concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that his policies have failed to address the realities faced by Nigerians. According to Udenta, Tinubu and his administration are isolated from the true challenges in the country, resulting in a disconnect that hinders effective governance. Udenta shared his views during an interview with Arise TV, criticizing the president’s approach since taking office in May 2023.
Disconnect from the People
Udenta's critique centered on Tinubu’s inability to listen to the people, claiming the administration operates in a bubble, disconnected from the needs of Nigerians. He emphasized that without engaging the public and broadening the scope of governance, Tinubu’s policies will continue to fail.
“The president has introduced numerous policies, but none are working, and they will never work. If you do not listen to the people and expand the horizon of governance, nothing productive will come from your actions,” Udenta stated.
He further argued that Tinubu and his team are part of a “mutual admiration club,” where they praise their own policies without considering the real-world implications. This self-imposed isolation, Udenta said, leaves the government out of touch with the struggles of everyday Nigerians.
Failure to Align Political and Economic Systems
Udenta also highlighted that Tinubu’s inability to get the political system right is a fundamental flaw that affects his economic policies. He pointed to comments made by former Nigerian leaders, including General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), as indicators of a country in crisis.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lost the political system, and if you don’t get the political order right, you can never fix the economy,” Udenta remarked.
He emphasized that Tinubu’s failure to align the political and economic systems has exacerbated the challenges faced by Nigerians. According to Udenta, the current administration’s policies, including heavy taxation and fuel price hikes, have only deepened the economic hardships felt by citizens.
Over-Taxation and Economic Hardship
One of Udenta’s main points was the excessive taxation burden placed on Nigerians. He described multiple layers of taxation, including those related to fuel subsidies, electronic transactions, and the power sector, which have left Nigerians struggling to survive.
“When people are overtaxed, the little they earn is not enough to sustain them,” Udenta explained.
He called on the Tinubu administration to review its taxation policies, arguing that reducing the tax burden could provide some relief to Nigerians. He also criticized the latest fuel price hikes, saying they have only worsened the cost of living, particularly in terms of transportation and food prices.
Ineffective Palliatives
Udenta was particularly critical of the administration’s reliance on palliatives as a solution to economic hardship. He echoed the sentiments of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who had earlier stated that palliatives would not address the root causes of Nigeria’s problems.
“Palliatives will not work. They didn’t work during Buhari’s eight years in office, and they will not work now,” Udenta stated.
He warned that the Tinubu administration should learn from the mistakes of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose use of palliatives failed to alleviate the suffering of the people. According to Udenta, continuing down the same path will only perpetuate the existing national crises, including terrorism, banditry, and widespread criminality.
A Call for Real Governance
While critical of the current administration, Udenta expressed hope that Tinubu could still turn things around if he acknowledged his failures and made a genuine effort to govern effectively. He emphasized that empty rhetoric would not solve Nigeria’s problems and called on the president to take meaningful action.
“It is time for the Tinubu administration to take stock. The past year and a half have been unfair and unjust to Nigerians, and the government must now roll up its sleeves and get down to real governance,” Udenta urged.
Conclusion
Professor Udenta O. Udenta’s sharp critique of President Tinubu’s administration highlights the disconnect between the government and the Nigerian people. From excessive taxation to ineffective palliatives, Udenta argues that Tinubu’s policies are failing because they do not address the real issues facing the country. However, he believes that with the right approach, the administration can still reverse course and provide the leadership Nigeria needs.
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