By Darlington Onyebuchi Agoha
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The clock of leadership is not measured by the ticking of seconds, but by the tangible pulse of the people. As President ’s administration navigates its third year, the prevailing sentiment across Nigeria suggests a disturbing dissonance between official rhetoric and the lived realities of millions. While the government speaks of “necessary pain” and “long-term gains,” the hands of time are moving toward a critical moment of public reckoning.
The Economic Pulse: Reforms or Deformations?
The centerpiece of the Tinubu administration has been a series of aggressive, market-oriented reforms—most notably the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira. Critics argue that these policies were “good reforms implemented wrongly,” resulting in what they describe as a “bullet train to collapse” for the middle and lower classes.
Inflation and Poverty: Despite recent official reports suggesting a deceleration in inflation to approximately 15.06% in February 2026, the warns of a potential resurgence to 37%. For the average citizen, these figures translate into a relentless rise in the cost of staples such as rice and onions, pushing an estimated 30 million more Nigerians into poverty since the beginning of this administration.
Fiscal Mismanagement: The 2026 budget has been labeled a “debt trap” by opposition groups such as the (ADC). With debt servicing costs projected to rise to ₦15.52 trillion, there are growing concerns that the administration is prioritizing creditors over the welfare of its citizens.
Security: The Missing Hands of Leadership
Time is also running out for those in regions ravaged by insecurity. Critics point to a perceived “laid-back attitude” from the presidency regarding mass killings and kidnappings in states such as Benue, Plateau, and Zamfara States. Since May 2023, reports indicate that over 5,000 Nigerians have lost their lives to terrorism, while the administration is accused of being “missing in action” or distracted by foreign engagements.
Governance vs. Politics: The 2027 Distraction
Perhaps the most biting criticism of the current APC-led government is its perceived preoccupation with the 2027 re-election cycle at the expense of effective governance.
Elite Capture: Prominent voices like have noted that while the “bourgeoisie” thrive under new fiscal regimes, the masses are suffocating under what he describes as an “excruciating economic crisis.”
One-Party Ambitions: Allegations persist that the presidency is more focused on weakening opposition voices and orchestrating internal crises within rival parties than on addressing structural bottlenecks in agriculture and logistics.
The Verdict of the Hour
Leadership is a contract with time. If the “Renewed Hope” agenda continues to yield only “delayed gratification” for the poor while providing immediate comfort for the elite, the administration risks a permanent disconnect from the populace. As the 2026 fiscal year progresses, the question remains: does the government have the political will to pivot toward a people-centered approach, or will its time be remembered as an era of “failed promises” and “authoritarian streaks”?
The people are no longer just watching the clock; they are feeling every second of its weight.
*Darlington Onyebuchi Agoha is a Political Affairs Analyst and Public Interest Advocate.
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