FOR NATIONAL SAFETY, REJECT ANYTHING TINUBU IN 2027

FOR NATIONAL SAFETY, REJECT ANYTHING TINUBU IN 2027

By Sanusi Muhammad

As Nigeria steadily crawls to the next general election, let's make a brief assessment of the government we tolerated for the past three years under Tinubu leadership. I may be wrong to say that Tinubu wasn't duly elected in 2023, but duly imposed by criminals in authority. This piece is verified figures and facts that show the scale of damage the Tinubu administration has inflicted on Nigeria and Nigerians. 

I am not even addressing the reputational damage caused by promoting forgery and harboring questionable characters in government and Tinubu's records in America that he has been battling to bury through foreign lobbyists. This piece focuses on how the economy has been devastated beyond imagination.

As it stands today under Tinubu, *₦34 trillion in federation revenue is unaccounted for*, according to IMF, ActionAid, and World Bank reports. Both ActionAid and the World Bank flagged over ₦34 trillion in pre-distribution deductions from federation revenue between 2023 and 2025.

On top of that, there is *₦8.8 trillion in off-budget spending*. The IMF’s 2026 Article IV Consultation revealed that approximately *₦8.83 trillion ($5.7 billion)* in public expenditures were not recorded in official budget documents.

Other scandals include:*₦54 billion NUPRC royalty scandal.* A Peoples Gazette investigation alleged that Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila illegally diverted ₦54 billion in oil and gas royalties using a questionable legal basis to secure presidential approval.  

Then there is this budget diversion of *₦8.4 billion out of the ₦22.8 billion* budgeted for the Almajiri Commission in the 2026 appropriation. 

There are likely billions and trillions more in fraudulent schemes hidden across the budget and government institutions.

Former Governor El-Rufai also alleged on national television that the President was illegally withdrawing *₦100 billion monthly* from the Federation Account without approval. He stated that this had gone on for over 15 months, totaling an estimated *₦1.5 trillion*, before his arrest.

Yet within just three years in government , the Tinubu administration borrowed approximately *₦66 trillion* in domestic and foreign loans. This pushed Nigeria’s total public debt to *₦159.28 trillion ($110.97 billion)* in just two years, comprising ₦84.85 trillion in domestic debt and ₦74.43 trillion ($51.86 billion) in external debt. By 2026, projections put the debt at *₦200 trillion*.

Meanwhile, the NNPC claims it spent *₦11 trillion* of public funds on “energy security” even after fuel subsidies were removed.

The human cost is staggering. There are already *18.3 to 20 million out-of-school children* in Nigeria. The administration has no clear plan for them. They are now vulnerable to recruitment into terrorism, banditry, and armed groups.

By June 2026, the World Bank projects that *79% of Nigerians, about 191.5 million people will be poor or vulnerable to poverty*, according to its Country Partnership Framework 2026–2032:  

There are *Ultra-Poor 33%* 80 million, severely food insecure.*Below Poverty Line is 61%*. About 139–140 million. *Near Poor/At Risk is 18%* That is 51.5 million. 

The Naira has lost over *65% of its value* since May 2023, falling from about ₦460/$1 to around ₦1,380/$1. High double-digit inflation has destroyed purchasing power and deepened the cost-of-living crisis.

Yet, while Nigerians suffer, President Tinubu and his inner circle are living large. An estimated *₦350 billion to ₦450 billion* has been spent in three years on the President and Vice President’s families, fleets, travel, and residences.

A rough breakdown from government budgets and GovSpend tracking shows: *Presidential Air Fleet at ₦170–190 billion* for maintenance and new aircraft. *Travel and Feeding at ₦45–55 billion*. 

Then *Houses and Renovations*: ₦50–70 billion for Aso Rock and VP residences. *Cars and Motor Vehicles*: ₦25–35 billion, including ₦14 billion for SUV fleets in weeks  

Plus a *₦5 billion Presidential Yacht*  

This directly contradicts the call for “sacrifice and fiscal discipline.” It is elitism and insensitivity in the face of widespread hunger and depression.

The patronage system is just as damaging. Appointments and contracts are skewed toward tribesmen, political allies and long-time associates, not merit. The reforms appear designed to benefit a privileged few.

Knowing that Nigerians want him out, the President is reportedly resorting to desperate measures to remain in power beyond 2027. He is now upping his *ethnic and religious divisive politics*. Framing national issues to divide voters and consolidate core constituencies.  

He is high on *propaganda and psychological warfare*. A coordinated media push to reframe hardship as “short-term pain for long-term gain,” while painting opposition voices as “unpatriotic.” Social media influencers are allegedly funded to amplify pro-government content and spread disinformation.  

Even the *Judicial and security pressure has been ramped up*. The use of court cases, EFCC probes, police and DSS to arrest activists, journalists, and opposition figures on charges like “cyberstalking” or “incitement” — creating a chilling effect ahead of 2027.  

The worst of them all is *INEC and electoral interference*. There are delays in reforms, and there is cases of appointment of alleged APC partisan figures to sensitive positions.  

Then there is *financial compromise across boars*. Mass distribution of federal appointments, unexecuted constituency projects, and palliatives to buy the loyalty of, royal fathers, religious leaders, governors, lawmakers and influencers.

These tactics appear to be failing. Citizens are already vowing to resist any attempt to undermine free and fair elections in 2027.

President Tinubu lacks the character, capacity, commitment, and compassion to lead Nigeria beyond 2027. With over *₦100 trillion potentially unaccounted for*, debt crisis, mass poverty and collapsing institutions, another four years would be disastrous.

The struggle now is to save Nigeria from this darkness. Nigerians cannot afford to gamble with another four-year term of this administration.

Muhammad is a commentator on national issues