The National Coordinator of The Disciples of Jagaban, Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, has urged Nigerians to assess President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders based on competence, experience, policies and measurable achievements rather than sentiments or political loyalty.
Alawuje made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday, describing Tinubu as one of Nigeria’s most experienced and influential political figures in contemporary times.
He acknowledged that no political leader or administration was perfect, stressing that criticism, disagreement and opposition were legitimate aspects of a democratic society.
However, he argued that political opposition should go beyond criticising the government by presenting Nigerians with realistic and convincing alternatives to the challenges confronting the country.
“I am not saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is perfect. No leader is perfect. The important question is whether those presenting themselves as alternatives have been able to convince Nigerians, beyond sentiments and political loyalty, that they have a better and more realistic plan for the country,” he said.
According to Alawuje, Tinubu’s decades of political experience remain an important factor in assessing his administration and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.
He challenged supporters of major opposition figures, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, to engage in substantive debates on their policies, programmes, experience and visions for the country.
Alawuje urged politicians and their supporters to avoid rhetoric capable of deepening ethnic, religious and political divisions.
He also expressed concern over attempts to involve foreign governments or political figures in Nigeria’s domestic political disagreements.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation. We can disagree among ourselves, criticise our government, challenge policies, and demand accountability. But our political disagreements should not become an invitation for external forces to determine our domestic political affairs,” he said.
The group’s coordinator maintained that a strong opposition remained essential to the development of Nigeria’s democracy, but argued that it must be constructive and focused on providing credible alternatives.
He added that supporting the Tinubu administration should not prevent citizens from acknowledging its shortcomings, just as opposition to the government should not translate into wishing the country failure.
Alawuje called for political debates to focus on competence, character, policy, experience, accountability, economic development, national unity, security and citizens’ welfare.
“Grumbling is allowed, criticism is allowed, opposition is allowed, but patriotism must remain paramount,” he said.
He reaffirmed The Disciples of Jagaban’s commitment to democratic participation, responsible political engagement and national development.
