As a patriotic Nigerian, there is a compelling need to draw the attention of President BAT to the urgency of governance as a strategic instrument for easing national tension ahead of the elections. Governance, when pursued with sincerity and visible intent, is not separate from politics; it is, in fact, politics in its most persuasive and legitimate form.
Classical political theory, from Max Weber to David Easton, reminds us that the legitimacy of any political system rests not merely on the struggle for power but on the authoritative allocation of values that satisfy public expectations. Those who attempt to divorce governance from politics often overlook that effective governance naturally generates influence, softens resistance, disarms hostility, and cultivates the very goodwill that politics desperately seeks. In essence, performance is persuasion.
However, the netizen is clear in his demand to me:
“What do you think, in summary, as a patriotic northerner, should be the development priorities of Tinubu in the coming months and years?”
My response is simple, yet profound in implication: security, power supply, and the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure such as the Lapai–Bida road, which has long disrupted the free movement of articulated vehicles between the South and the North. Beyond these, there is an urgent need to win positive public emotions through deliberate actions and symbolic gestures that counter prevailing perceptions of nepotism, exclusion, and bias.
Developmental focus on projects like the Baro Port is not merely economic strategy; it is political communication, an affirmation of inclusion, balance, and national integration.
Let me explain. The truth is that the current surge in insecurity is, to a large extent, symptomatic of deeper structural and social tensions, many of which may not be entirely within the immediate control of the government. Yet, as citizens, there is a moral obligation to moderate our emotional responses. Social psychology, particularly the work of Gustave Le Bon, demonstrates how collective emotions can amplify irrational behavior, turning public discourse into a battlefield of sentiments rather than reason. While we condemn banditry in our various platforms, we sometimes mirror its logic through the normalization of mob actions, stereotyping, and political dehumanization. It becomes a dangerous narrative where one group is sanctified as “saints” and the other demonized as “sinners.” Such polarization does not strengthen democracy; it erodes it.
The relentless attempt to delegitimize Bola Ahmed Tinubu through emotionally charged narratives may satisfy political appetites, but it does little to guarantee security or national stability.
That said, there remains a genuine and urgent responsibility on the government to be visibly proactive by preventing attacks, responding decisively, and reassuring citizens. Perception, as much as reality, shapes political outcomes. When citizens repeatedly witness unchecked violence, it fuels anti-government sentiment, encourages sabotage, and reinforces narratives that portray the state as indifferent or incapable.
As elections approach, the information ecosystem will likely become even more saturated with misleading content designed to divide and inflame. Emotional discipline, therefore, becomes both a civic duty and a survival strategy.
I have consistently maintained that much of the resistance against the Tinubu administration is less about measurable performance and more about entrenched emotions, sentiments, and regional biases. Political behavior scholars like Herbert Simon argue that human judgments are often bounded by emotion and limited rationality rather than objective analysis. This explains why similar conditions can be interpreted differently depending on who is in power. Muhammadu Buhari, for instance, enjoyed fierce loyalty and defense even in the face of insecurity that affected his own home region. Yet, the standards of judgment appear to shift dramatically with a change in leadership. In another twist of irony, critics who question Tinubu’s age and health often overlook that political support globally, including for figures like Donald Trump, is rarely constrained by such factors. Emotion rules, often quietly but decisively.
Nevertheless, it would be a grave mistake for the government to rely solely on this understanding of emotional politics without responding with tangible improvements. Power supply remains a critical fault line. Its persistent failure not only undermines productivity but also affects access to potable water, healthcare delivery, and overall quality of life. Empirical development studies consistently show that access to reliable electricity is strongly correlated with economic growth and public satisfaction. Fixing power is not just an infrastructural task; it is a political masterstroke capable of reshaping public perception.
Equally important is the need to correct the growing perception that Lagos is the sole focal point of national priority, a narrative often framed through the lens of “city boys” versus “village inhabitants.”
Nations are not sustained by the prosperity of a single city but by the balanced development of all regions. Renewed attention to strategic assets like Baro Port holds the promise of regional self-reliance, trade expansion, and economic diversification. More importantly, it signals inclusivity, an essential ingredient in nation-building.
In the final analysis, governance must be reimagined not just as administration, but as communication, every road constructed, every megawatt generated, every life secured sends a message louder than any campaign speech. If these signals are clear, consistent, and inclusive, they will not only ease tension but quietly, almost inevitably, shape the outcome of the coming election.
Bagudu can be reached via bagudumohammed15197@gmail.com or 07034943575.
