A decade-old social media post made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2014 has re-emerged, stirring intense discussions as Nigerians revisit his past remarks on the insecurity that plagued the country at the time.
In the resurfaced post, Tinubu heavily criticised the previous administration over Boko Haram attacks and the continuous “massacre of innocent citizens,” adding that the situation was “concrete proof that Nigeria has no government.”
The revived message, which circulated widely on Monday, prompted many Nigerians to draw comparisons between Tinubu’s statements then and the current security and economic difficulties facing the nation.
Nigerians Respond by Comparing Past and Present
The resurfaced post triggered mixed reactions online, with several users pointing out the irony of the past comments.
One user wrote, “Now the tables have turned.”
Another questioned why the tweet didn’t gain much traction at the time, noting: “Only 136 bookmarks? If this was a tweet by PO, it would have attracted 100M bookmarks.”
Some users demanded immediate action from the president, with one simply urging, “Now, act!!!”, while another dismissed the outrage saying, “Rest.”
A different commenter criticised the government directly, asking: “Oga drug lord, does Nigeria have concrete evidence of governance now? Oga wake up, terrorists and kidnappers are in Abuja. Has Nigeria failed as a state?”
Rising Tensions as Citizens Decry Worsening Security
The reactions highlight growing anger among Nigerians who believe that insecurity, economic hardship, and violent attacks have escalated under the current administration, despite Tinubu’s earlier condemnation of similar issues.
Analysts and security monitors including ACLED and Global Rights—report thousands of deaths and numerous kidnappings since Tinubu took office, with rampant banditry and ransom-driven abductions affecting communities, especially across the North-West and North-Central regions.
Government Claims Progress, Public Remains Skeptical
The presidency has insisted that recent military successes, including the elimination of key insurgent and bandit leaders, show that the country is making significant strides in improving security.
However, critics maintain that persistent violence, frequent kidnappings, and widespread killings indicate that the security situation has not improved—and in some areas, has deteriorated further.