Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Babafemi Ojudu, has stirred political discourse with a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. Ojudu, who has worked closely with Tinubu, declared that Tinubu’s philosophy and leadership style are unsuitable for Nigeria’s current challenges.
Speaking on Monday during the State Affairs podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, Ojudu contrasted Tinubu’s leadership approach with the vision and capability of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. According to him, Osinbajo’s leadership would have charted a transformative path for Nigeria.
Ojudu minced no words as he dissected Tinubu’s governing philosophy, which he believes lacks the holistic vision required to address Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic and security challenges.
“I’ve worked closely with Tinubu and seen how his mind operates. The ‘Emi Lokan’ philosophy—a belief that one’s turn to lead is inevitable—is not the kind of mindset Nigeria needs now,” Ojudu remarked.
He explained that the “Emi Lokan” ideology prioritizes entitlement over competence, a notion he finds deeply troubling given the complexities of Nigeria’s current state.
“Nigeria is at a crossroads where strategic thinking, collaboration, and innovation are paramount. Unfortunately, I don’t see those qualities aligning with Tinubu’s approach,” Ojudu added.
In stark contrast, Ojudu heaped praise on Yemi Osinbajo, describing him as a visionary leader capable of uniting diverse stakeholders to achieve national progress.
“Osinbajo is a visionary,” he said passionately. “This country would have gone places under his leadership. He possesses the clarity of thought and collaborative spirit essential for governance.”
Ojudu highlighted Osinbajo’s intellectual depth and ability to inspire a shared vision as key assets that could have propelled Nigeria toward greatness.
“Whoever is going to run this country successfully must not be an individualistic leader,” Ojudu emphasized. “He must be someone working within a group of people who share the same vision and ideals.”
Ojudu extended his critique beyond Tinubu, addressing the broader inefficiencies within Nigeria’s governance structures. He stressed that leadership is not just about the president but about assembling a competent and committed team across all sectors of government.
“You can’t just be president and have a useless Inspector General of Police, a non-functional Customs or Immigration head, or a compromised Chief Justice. Everyone must align with the president’s ideals and visions,” Ojudu asserted.
The podcast remarks have sparked debates across Nigeria, with many interpreting Ojudu’s comments as a reflection of growing disenchantment with Tinubu’s leadership among some political elites.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, has long been a polarizing figure in Nigerian politics. His rise to the presidency was marked by the controversial “Emi Lokan” slogan, which some saw as a declaration of entitlement rather than a vision for Nigeria’s future. Critics argue that Tinubu’s administration has so far struggled to address Nigeria’s key challenges, including insecurity, economic instability, and corruption.
In contrast, Osinbajo, who served as Vice President under Muhammadu Buhari, is widely regarded as a cerebral and technocratic leader. During his tenure, Osinbajo earned public acclaim for spearheading economic reforms, promoting small and medium-sized enterprises, and advocating for technology-driven governance.