Tinubu Is Ideologically Somersaulting, Should Reflect On 2012 Letter To Jonathan – Farounbi

…Says, His Current Policies Seem Disconnected From Everyday Struggles Of Nigerians

IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA – Nigeria’s former ambassador to The Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, has expressed disappointment in the ideological shift of President Bola Tinubu, comparing his current policies with his earlier advocacy for a restructured Nigeria.

Farounbi, who once knew Tinubu as a progressive leader, said the current President no longer embodies the principles he stood for when he served as Governor of Lagos.

In an interview with Channels TV on Friday, October 4, 2024, Dr. Farounbi openly criticized Tinubu for what he described as an “ideological somersault.”

He suggested that the President revisit the letter he wrote to former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012, where Tinubu advocated for reforms and true federalism.

Farounbi who recently celebrated his 80 years birthday anniversary, highlighted the disconnect between the positions Tinubu took in the past and the economic hardships Nigerians are currently enduring under his administration.

“If I have that opportunity, I am going to ask him (Tinubu) to look back at what he was. I am going to ask him to look at the letter he wrote to Jonathan in 2012. I am going to ask him to look at the cases he took to the Supreme Court on local governments”, Farounbi stated.

Farounbi further expressed his concern about Tinubu’s seeming abandonment of the values he once championed, particularly his commitment to restructuring Nigeria.

As Governor of Lagos, Tinubu had been vocal about decentralizing power, promoting true federalism, and supporting a sovereign national conference. These were ideas he shared widely as he fought for a restructured Nigeria.

“I am going to ask him why he is ideologically somersaulting. Why is he not appearing as the Tinubu that we knew? Why is he not the Tinubu that was committed to the restructuring of this country, a Tinubu that was interested in a sovereign national conference, a Tinubu that was committed to true federalism?”, Farounbi questioned.

The former Ambassador called on the President to reflect on his current stance and reconsider the direction of his leadership. He suggested that Tinubu’s return to his former self could alleviate many of the nation’s challenges.

“I’m going to ask him what had happened. Can he be true to himself? Let him be himself as he was in the past, and I think that a lot of these problems will not be there”, Farounbi advised.

Farounbi reminded Tinubu of the core principles of progressivism. He stressed that a truly progressive leader must prioritize the welfare of the people by creating jobs and ensuring food security.

According to Farounbi, Tinubu’s earlier vision was rooted in these values, but his current policies seem disconnected from the everyday struggles of Nigerians.

As Tinubu continues to navigate the complexities of leading Nigeria, Farounbi’s critique serves as a reminder of the need for ideological consistency and a commitment to the values that once defined the President’s political career.