Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Confronting Nigeria’s Security and Governance Challenges — Can the Nation Reclaim Its Future? – By Austine Ikubese

An Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
By Chief (Comrade) Austine Ikubese

His Excellency,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU: Confronting Nigeria’s Security and Governance Challenges—Can the Nation Reclaim Its Future?

Your Excellency,

This marks my second open letter to you this year. In my first, I suggested that Nigeria’s crude oil be benchmarked at ₦100,000 per barrel for supply to the Dangote Refinery, with the aim of reducing the hardship caused by rising petroleum pump prices, particularly in the wake of global tensions such as the USA–Iran conflict. While that proposal may have seemed impractical due to Nigeria’s continued borrowing from the IMF and other international institutions, which limit our ability to fully exercise sovereignty over our natural resources, it was borne out of genuine concern for our nation’s welfare.

You may recall that I was among the earliest Nigerians—if not the first—to publicly advocate for crude-to-naira transactions with the Dangote Refinery. This was highlighted in my press release during a Christmas welfare program in December 2023, when I supported my wife, Hon. Mrs. Sarah Ikubese, the immediate past Special Adviser on WAPA, Oriade LCDA, Lagos. The Sun Newspaper published this on January 8, 2024.

Mr. President, I sincerely commend your courageous decision in May 2024, when through Executive Order you approved the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in naira. This policy has undoubtedly helped stabilize the economy and reduce pressure on foreign exchange. Such bold leadership reflects the same democratic spirit you demonstrated during your days as a NADECO chieftain, fighting for the democracy we now enjoy.

I am compelled to write again after returning from a month-long vacation in the United States with my wife. We traveled across five states and were struck by the quality of infrastructure, particularly the roads. During the U.S. Independence Day celebrations on July 4th, marking 250 years of their nationhood, I reflected on why their systems work while ours struggle. Friends explained that America’s longevity plays a role, but I observed that their progress is sustained by intentional governance; each administration builds upon the achievements of its predecessors, regardless of party affiliation.

The highways we drove on were not only well-constructed but maintained with precision. Road markings reflected clearly at night, reducing reliance on streetlights. Safety features such as rumble strips alerted drowsy drivers, while rest stops every 100 kilometers provided fuel, restrooms, and space for trucks and cars alike. These are simple yet life-saving measures that Nigeria must adopt. I urge our officials, particularly the Hon. Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to not only focus on building durable roads but also to incorporate these critical safety features and continuous maintenance of our roads should equally be of utmost priority.

However, my primary reason for this letter goes beyond infrastructure. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, I urge you to reflect deeply on our nation’s history and the challenges we have faced. Leadership must ensure that history does not repeat itself in new forms. Instead, let history remember you as a true democrat who steered Nigeria toward progress, unity, and sustainable development.

LESSON FROM THE PAST
Permit me to start from when General Yakubu Gowon in the 70s said Nigeria’s problem was not money but how to spend it. This became a symbol of economic mismanagement. The Udoji Award of 1974, which flooded the economy with cash, triggered inflation and destabilized the nation.

General Murtala Muhammed’s brief but impactful tenure hinted at reform, but his assassination in 1976 cut short that promise. Likewise, the annulment of Chief Moshood Abiola’s historic June 12, 1993, election shattered the hopes of millions and remains a scar on our democratic journey.

These lessons remind us that opportunities, once lost, rarely return. Your administration must not repeat the mistakes of the past.

That being said, Mr. President kindly permits me however to commend the efforts your administration has made in navigating Nigeria through the turbulent realities of governance. Leading a nation as vast, diverse, and complex as ours is no small task, and the expectations upon your shoulders are immense. Yet, your government has taken deliberate steps to reposition the country, even as we grapple with economic hardship, persistent insecurity, and the enduring quest for unity.

Many Nigerians still hold faith in the promise of your presidency, that you will rise above political expediency and embody the statesmanship required to guide our nation toward justice, equity, and reconciliation.

But history beckons, Sir. A defining moment is upon us, one that will shape the legacy of your leadership for generations. The choices you make now will determine whether Nigeria emerges stronger or falters under the weight of its divisions. I write not merely as a citizen, but as a witness to history’s echoes and the shadows they cast upon our present. This is an urgent appeal, for justice, healing, and the redemption of our nation.

Nigeria at a Crossroads
Insecurity has become a nationwide crisis, eroding public trust, weakening institutions, and threatening the very foundation of our sovereignty. As Commander-in-Chief, the duty to safeguard lives and secure the nation rests squarely upon you. This responsibility is not ceremonial; it is the essence of leadership and the foremost obligation of your office.

To succeed, you must surround yourself not with sycophants, but with honest, independent-minded advisers who will tell you the truth, however inconvenient. Governance thrives not on flattery but on integrity, competence, and accountability.

Your history as a democrat and NADECO stalwart, one who dared the guns and boots of military dictatorship, remains a powerful testament to your courage. Today, as President, you must rekindle that spirit of sacrifice and endear yourself to the people. Only then will your “Renewed Hope” agenda resonate as genuine hope, rather than be dismissed as “renewed hunger and poverty.”

The Mandate of Renewal
Mr. President, your government is seen as the phenomenon that must redeem lost hopes and restore faith in the Nigerian dream.

Critics however have described your administration as a government of the politicians, by the politicians, and for the politicians”—suggesting that loyalty is driven by personal benefit rather than national interest. It is imperative to prove them wrong. Your NADECO legacy calls for a democracy that is truly “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”—both in principle and in practice.

I respectfully urge you to take decisive steps that will ease the hardship currently faced by Nigerians. As you prepare for the 2027 general elections, such actions will not only strengthen your Renewed Hope Agenda but also help transform it into what could be seen as a Genuine Hope Agenda—one that commands organic love and support from the people, rather than leaving that goodwill to the opposition.

By aligning your leadership with the needs of ordinary citizens, you will reinforce your democratic legacy and ensure that history remembers your administration as one that truly served the people.

This requires:

Purging your government of deadwood, those who lack integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Ensuring free and fair elections, obliterating rigging and restoring credibility to our democratic institutions.

Addressing divisive narratives by fostering inclusivity and national unity.

Delivering essential services, public health, infrastructure, and electricity must be treated as indispensable pillars of progress, not half-hearted projects riddled with neglect.

A Call to Action
In advanced nations, especially in the United States of America, and other advanced democracies; public health, road infrastructure, and electricity are regarded as indispensable services, pillars upon which national progress rests. Unfortunately, in our context, these services are often delivered in a half-hearted manner. Projects approved for execution are rarely subjected to rigorous supervision, and when oversight fails, the very citizens meant to benefit become victims once again. This cycle of neglect is as destructive as a terminal illness.

However, Nigerians do not expect miracles overnight. What we yearn for is a decisive break from mediocrity, a radical departure from complacency. The foundation you lay today will determine whether Nigeria rises to its destiny as a giant among nations. That foundation must rest on the competence, integrity, and vision of your cabinet.

Sir, as I conclude, I humbly reaffirm my loyalty to you, to our party (APC), to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to the ideals that bind us together. With a clear conscience and unwavering conviction, I urge you to seize this moment and lead with courage, justice, and compassion. It is also my prayer that God will grant you the strength, courage and the enablement to succeed for the greater good of our nation, Amen.

Please, accept the assurances of my highest regards, Sir.

Long live Your Excellency.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long live our collective pursuit of justice, unity, and progress.

Yours faithfully,
Chief (Comrade) Austine Ikubese,
Community Leader, and Human Rights Advocate.