Voices of Reason: Oseni Rufai Offers Critical Guidance to President Tinubu Amid Mounting National Challenges

 

Oseni Rufai, a respected journalist and media personality known for his candid commentary and fearless critique of political leadership, has offered a set of poignant advisories to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria continues to grapple with a complex web of economic instability, governance challenges, and social discontent.

Speaking during a recent media engagement, Rufai did not mince words as he addressed what he termed the “dire need for introspection and realignment” at the highest levels of Nigerian leadership. His advice to the President was multi-pronged—rooted in a genuine concern for national progress, yet layered with the unmistakable frustration of a citizen watching the dream of a functional Nigeria fade under the weight of repeated missteps.

Notably, Rufai’s comments come at a time when Nigerians are expressing increasing weariness toward government decisions that appear disconnected from their daily realities. From rising food prices and an unstable currency to escalating insecurity and underwhelming infrastructure, the Nigerian populace is, more than ever, demanding answers and accountability.

Rufai’s critique did not merely spotlight problems—it offered clear philosophical direction. He emphasized the importance of people-centered governance, one that prioritizes the masses over political cronies and special interests. To lead Nigeria in this current climate, he argued, requires more than ceremonial leadership. It demands empathy, vision, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

"Leadership must not be about photo ops and praise singers," Rufai stated. "It must be about service, about sacrificing personal comfort for the well-being of the majority."

He cautioned President Tinubu against the allure of sycophancy, a prevalent feature in Nigerian politics that, over time, erodes leaders’ connection to reality. Rufai underscored that a leader who surrounds himself with “yes men” risks being blind to the pain on the streets and deaf to the cries from the corners of the country.

Nigerians, he reminded the President, are not asking for miracles. They are asking for stability, justice, and sincerity. They are asking that their leaders show not only competence but also compassion—a commodity Rufai believes has become scarce within the corridors of power.

What sets Rufai apart from many critics is his willingness to confront systemic issues without reducing them to partisan bickering. His advice was as much about the office of the presidency as it was about the moral responsibility that comes with occupying such a position in a country as fractured and fragile as Nigeria.

He encouraged the President to urgently reassess his economic policies, particularly those that disproportionately impact the poor. The removal of fuel subsidies, currency floatation, and harsh fiscal tightening, he warned, have plunged millions further into poverty. While reforms may be necessary, Rufai questioned whether the current approach was too sudden and lacking in adequate cushioning for vulnerable populations.

"Reforms are not inherently bad," he remarked. "But how do you implement reforms without proper buffers? What happens to the mother in Zamfara who can no longer afford food for her children? What about the young graduate in Port Harcourt whose job prospects are drying up under a stifled economy?"

To salvage the situation, Rufai urged Tinubu to conduct an honest performance audit of his administration. He proposed that the President should hold his appointees to higher standards, insisting on merit over loyalty. Ministries, departments, and agencies should not be used as rewards for political favours but as platforms for transformative service delivery.

His tone, though critical, remained constructive. Rufai maintained that Nigeria could still rise, but only if its leaders are willing to step away from the politics of entitlement and embrace the ethos of stewardship.

"You are not just President of a party, you are President of a people—over 200 million souls with hopes and fears," Rufai emphasized. "You cannot lead effectively if you do not listen deeply and act decisively."

His advice carries weight not merely because of his media profile, but because it echoes the sentiments of countless Nigerians—those who are disillusioned, yet still invested in the idea of a better Nigeria.

Rufai’s message to Tinubu is a challenge, a plea, and perhaps most importantly, a mirror. It reflects the growing demand for a leadership that does not just seek power but earns trust. A leadership that is not insulated by privilege, but grounded in the pulse of the people.

As the Tinubu administration navigates its second year, the question remains: will this advice spark a new trajectory, or will it be lost in the din of political noise and institutional inertia? The answer, like Nigeria’s future, is still unfolding.