An Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
By Aghogho Abraham Orotomah
Your Excellency,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and unwavering spirit. As an ordinary Nigerian and a loyal founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I write with deep concern and sincere intent to offer counsel as you navigate the complexities of governance and the growing challenge from the opposition.
Your leadership in the 2013 coalition that unseated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains one of the most consequential political events in Nigeria’s recent history. That victory was not merely the triumph of a party—it was the triumph of a united front powered by frustrated citizens seeking real change. Today, as a similar coalition begins to take shape among opposition forces, I urge you to view it not just as a political nuisance, but as a genuine threat to the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians who are still waiting for the dividends of democracy.
While your administration may already be crafting counter-strategies, I caution you not to underestimate the potency of political collaboration—especially by those who once stood shoulder to shoulder with you. The opposition coalition may appear flawed or unstable, but so too did the APC at its inception. Many of these leaders you now face, including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, were pivotal figures in your 2013 triumph. They understand coalition politics, and they are politically seasoned and strategically inclined.
Let history serve as a lesson. One of the PDP’s gravest errors between 2013 and 2015 was its refusal to take your coalition seriously. President Goodluck Jonathan, surrounded by praise-singers and insulated by political and economic elites, dismissed what became an unstoppable wave. That arrogance cost him his presidency. I urge you not to fall into the same trap. Your strongest allies must not be sycophants, but those who challenge you to remain in touch with the people.
Mr. President, I am persuaded that your greatest strength lies not with the party elite or government appointees, but with the ordinary Nigerians who believed in your promise of renewed hope. It is with these Nigerians that your political survival—and legacy—rests. The coalition you now face cannot be defeated through propaganda or elite maneuvering; it must be countered by restoring trust and delivering tangible benefits to the people.
The most powerful resistance to political discontent is a well-engaged and economically empowered citizenry. I urge you to adopt inclusive governance models that directly impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Consider the revival or reimagining of interventionist programmes such as SURE-P and N-Power, tailored to today’s economic realities. These initiatives, if transparently managed and widely implemented, will reaffirm your administration’s commitment to lifting millions out of hardship.
The APC may still carry the hopes of many, but there is widespread disillusionment within its ranks. Across the country, grassroots members feel neglected, disempowered, and voiceless. These are the same people who campaigned door to door for your victory in 2023. With humility, I ask you to listen to their silent cries, empower them, and restore their faith in the party they helped build.
Mr. President, your legacy will not be shaped solely by the reforms you implement or the infrastructure you unveil. It will be defined by your ability to connect with and uplift the very people who placed their trust in you. Empowering ordinary Nigerians is not just a moral duty—it is a strategic necessity.
I remain hopeful that you will heed these words not as criticism, but as a heartfelt appeal from a citizen committed to your success and the prosperity of our great nation. With purposeful leadership and the collective support of everyday Nigerians, I am confident we can still build the Nigeria we all desire.
Yours sincerely,
Aghogho Abraham Orotomah
Foundation APC Member
Ughelli, Delta State
[email protected]