Omoyele Sowore Blasts Governors For Prioritizing Tinubu’s Farewell Wave Over Public Service Responsibility

 

Omoyele Sowore, the fiery political activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has once again stirred heated conversations across Nigeria after strongly criticizing state governors and senior government officials who publicly celebrated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s departure for a medical trip abroad. His remarks cut deep into what he described as a pattern of misplaced loyalty, where public servants focus on ceremonial gestures rather than confronting the mounting challenges within the nation.

The outspoken politician, known for his fearless critiques of the establishment, wasted no time in lambasting the governors and officials who posted goodwill messages and farewell statements to Tinubu on various platforms. According to Sowore, these public displays of loyalty highlight a dysfunctional political culture in which leaders glorify power while neglecting their constitutional duties to citizens.

Sowore pointed out that governors and ministers have pressing responsibilities in their respective domains. From crumbling infrastructure to unpaid workers and unending insecurity, Nigerians continue to live under difficult conditions. Instead of addressing these realities, Sowore argued, officials spent time cheering a president who was flying abroad for medical treatment. He painted this act as symbolic of a government disconnected from the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.

For Sowore, the gesture represented more than just political politeness. He described it as foolishness, an abandonment of duty, and a betrayal of the trust citizens had placed in their elected leaders. He went further to emphasize that such behavior demonstrates how the ruling class often views governance as an avenue for self-promotion and flattery rather than service delivery.

Observers noted that his criticism reflects broader frustrations many Nigerians harbor toward the current state of governance. Despite campaign promises of renewed hope, the administration has faced growing discontent due to rising costs of living, fuel price hikes, currency depreciation, and unending insecurity in different parts of the country. Against this backdrop, Sowore’s words struck a nerve, as they mirrored the sentiments of countless citizens who feel abandoned by those in power.

Public health concerns surrounding the president also added fuel to Sowore’s criticism. Nigerians have long questioned why leaders frequently choose foreign countries for medical treatment while local hospitals remain poorly funded and understaffed. Tinubu’s medical journey abroad became another stark reminder of this contradiction. Sowore seized on this moment to highlight how leaders avoid investing in healthcare infrastructure at home while relying on facilities overseas to sustain themselves.

Social media platforms quickly amplified Sowore’s remarks. Reactions ranged from support to outrage. Many of his supporters echoed his frustration, insisting that leaders must prioritize the welfare of citizens rather than showing blind loyalty to those at the top. Others, however, saw his comments as harsh and unnecessarily insulting, arguing that political courtesy should not always be interpreted as neglect of duty.

Political analysts observed that Sowore’s outburst is consistent with his long-standing history of challenging political elites in Nigeria. From his presidential campaigns to his activism, he has positioned himself as a relentless critic of corruption, incompetence, and systemic failure. His latest intervention, they argue, was aimed not only at exposing the superficiality of Nigerian politics but also at pressing leaders to reflect on their misplaced priorities.

Governors and ministers have yet to directly respond to his remarks. Nevertheless, the silence itself has sparked discussions about accountability and the culture of unquestioned loyalty within government circles. Critics say the trend of celebrating presidential movements is a deliberate attempt by politicians to curry favor with the nation’s leader, often at the expense of their own responsibilities.

Sowore’s biting comments also raised deeper questions about the symbolism of leadership in Nigeria. To him, the act of waving at a departing president—particularly one leaving for medical reasons—symbolizes weakness rather than strength. He accused these politicians of reducing governance to mere pageantry while the country continues to struggle with food insecurity, high unemployment rates, and insecurity challenges that demand urgent attention.

Many Nigerians who resonated with his message hope that such criticism will eventually force leaders to rethink their approach to governance. To them, the real wave worth celebrating would be one that signals progress, improved healthcare systems, reduced poverty, and better security. Until then, symbolic gestures and farewell messages appear hollow in the face of a nation yearning for real transformation.

Omoyele Sowore’s latest verbal attack may not be new in tone, but it reinforces his consistent role as a watchdog of Nigerian democracy. Whether or not his words lead to a change in political behavior, one thing is clear: he has once again succeeded in redirecting public attention toward the urgent question of leadership responsibility. For many Nigerians, that reminder is not only timely but necessary.