Nigerians Are Suffering, Change Your Leadership Approach – Yemi Farounbi Urges Tinubu, Advises President To Govern With Empathy, Humility

ILESE-IJEBU, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – ILESE-IJEBU, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – Veteran broadcaster and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to shift away from a ruling mindset and embrace a more inclusive and empathetic leadership style as his administration enters its second half.

Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme aired on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu on Monday, May 26, 2025, Farounbi provided a critical evaluation of Tinubu’s performance over the past two years.

He acknowledged notable achievements but warned that economic hardship continues to grip millions of Nigerians.

Farounbi noted that President Tinubu had fulfilled some of his inaugural promises – including the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate unification, and tax reform advancements – but emphasized that these policies have inflicted severe hardship on ordinary Nigerians.

“There are three things he said in that inaugural speech that he has faithfully achieved,” Farounbi observed. “But while he has kept those promises, the impact on ordinary Nigerians has been devastating. The streets are hungry, and tension is rising in homes.”

A press release by Eagle FM’s current affairs unit reinforced the sobering tone of Farounbi’s remarks, painting a stark picture of the socio-political and economic challenges confronting the nation.

Dr. Farounbi urged the president to govern with empathy and humility, rather than enforcing top-down authority.

“The President should govern on our behalf, not rule over us,” he said. “He should listen and realize that the hardship is much. In this second half, he should give more than just words of hope. His policies must begin to have a human face.”

He expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to address insecurity and the worsening state of Nigeria’s power supply.

“In security, he has failed in my view,” Farounbi stated. “Even the promise of having state police has gone after more than two years without any positive action. And on electricity, we’ve had more grid collapses in the last year than in the past ten years combined.”

The former ambassador also warned against the growing suppression of opposition voices and the rising influence of a one-party political structure under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The drift toward a one-party system is dangerous,” he said. “It is sad that the same Tinubu who once stood for true federalism and democracy now watches silently as the opposition is dwarfed into irrelevance.”

Farounbi voiced concern over recent political tensions in Rivers State, including the declaration of emergency rule and alleged partisan interference, warning that such developments are antithetical to democratic governance.

Farounbi called for a renewed national conscience, the restoration of democratic values, and a return to true federalism.

“The man we used to know as a democrat is missing. Nigeria needs a rebirth of conscience and a return to true federalism, free from political favoritism”, he posited.