Naja’atu Muhammad: Tinubu Is A ‘Regionalist, I Have Nothing Personal Against Him

Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed, a prominent Nigerian politician, activist, and Chair of the Northern Star, has delivered a pointed critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In a candid discussion on the maiden episode of the Political Advantage Platform (PAP) podcast hosted by Hadiza Malumfashi, Hajiya Nàja’atu Mohammed, started by addressing accusations that her criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stem from personal animosity. She made it clear that her concerns are about governance and national unity, not personal grudges

Nàja’atu expressed deep concerns about Tinubu’s leadership style, accusing him of fostering regionalism, sidelining national unity, and failing to deliver on critical national issues.

She outlined how the current government’s policies have deepened divisions and jeopardized Nigeria’s future, lamenting the loss of a visionary leader the country desperately needed.

Despite acknowledging Tinubu’s political acumen, Nàja’atu Mohammed bluntly described the president as a “regionalist” whose policies disproportionately favor his Yoruba homeland. According to her, this approach is not just about ethnic favoritism but a calculated strategy to use national resources to advance regional interests.

“I have nothing personal against Tinubu, but it is clear that everything in his government is about Yorubas for Yorubas and by Yorubas.”

She noted how critical federal projects and appointments have been concentrated in the South-West, particularly Lagos, to the detriment of the rest of the country. “Tinubu is using the national resources to develop his region,” she said, highlighting the relocation of many federal agencies’ headquarters to Lagos as an example of this skewed focus.

This move, Nàja’atu questioned: “Are we trying to ‘vulcanize’ the country into ethnic fiefdoms?”

When the host asked about the current economic situation, the activist further condemned the removal of fuel subsidy, a move she said was “not discussed with Nigerians but pushed through for the sake of appeasing the IMF.”

She added that, “When a government ignores the voices of its people and listens only to external bodies, the result is a broken economy and suffering citizens.”

Najaatu painted a grim picture of the consequences of current economic policies on Nigerians’ purchasing power, highlighting rising inflation and the sharp decline in living standards. “How can a country survive when its people are being broken down by harsh policies?” she asked, stressing that these decisions have not been accompanied by adequate social support. “The people are breaking under the weight of these policies,”

She emphasised the need for a government that listens and responds to its citizens rather than imposing harsh measures without consultation. She questioned how any meaningful development could take place when basic needs such as energy and security remain unresolved.

Nigerians lost their chance to have a visionary leader

Nàja’atu who worked as coordinator for NGOs in Tinubu’s campaign team in 2023, argued that the nation’s hopes were high after Tinubu’s election, given his “so-called experience” as Lagos governor and his promise to address security, energy, and economic challenges. But so far, she said, the reality has been disappointing.

She pointed to widespread insecurity as a critical failure of the current administration. “When security is in tatters, how can a country survive?” Nàja’atu asked.

“The rise of banditry, insurgency, and ethnic clashes across Nigeria, reflected not just a failure of policy but a lack of political will.”

Naja’atu who in the Podcast mentioned that she initially supported former vice president Yemi Osinbajo, said “Nigerians lost their chance to have a visionary leader since 2023”.

Judiciary and Legislature: “Pocketed by the Tinubu Government”

Nàja’atu did not spare the judiciary and the National Assembly in her assessment. She alleged that both arms of government have been compromised, “pocketed” by the executive to rubber-stamp policies without proper oversight or independence.

“The checks and balances that are supposed to safeguard our democracy are missing, this undermines the rule of law and threatens Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

She warned, that, the consolidation of power, is a dangerous precedent that could have long-term implications for governance and accountability in Nigeria.

A recurring theme in Nàja’atu’s critique was the president’s continued influence over Lagos politics, even after leaving office as governor. She alleged that, “Tinubu is the only person I know who kept power in his hands after he left office officially. He determines what is what in Lagos.”

This, she claimed, has allowed him to “strangle Lagos,” limiting political competition and maintaining a tight grip on the state’s resources and administration.

For Nàja’atu, this model of governance contradicts democratic principles and fuels perceptions of centralized power among a select few.

“We Can’t Continue Like This”

In concluding the interview, Nàja’atu issued a sober warning that Nigerians can’t continue to suffer under this administration: “We can’t continue like this, the current trajectory, risks fracturing Nigeria’s unity and undermining its democratic institutions.”

She called for urgent reforms, national dialogue, and leadership that genuinely represents all Nigerians, not just a region.

This wide-ranging interview was part of the first-ever episode of the Political Advantage Platform (PAP) podcast, a new show dedicated to thought-provoking conversations on national issues and politics, hosted by Hadiza Malumfashi.

The podcast which will be released every Sunday by 7:30pm, aims to give voice to diverse political actors and activists, adding new dimensions to political discourse in Nigeria.

For the full interview and many other insightful podcasts, visit the Political Advantage Platform (PAP) on YouTube and their social media handles.