Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over a televised campaign appearance in which he jumped off a stage alongside a presidential candidate.
Fanwo said on Friday that presidential leadership should be judged by a candidate’s ideas, judgement and ability to govern, not physical displays before television cameras.
Fanwo questions campaign focus
The commissioner said he watched Makinde’s speech on a campaign platform aired by Channels Television. He questioned the decision to use the physical energy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a campaign issue.
Fanwo said the display raised questions about the quality of discussions surrounding the presidential contest. He maintained that jumping off a stage could not establish whether a candidate had the skills required to lead Nigeria.
“The presidency is not an athletic competition,” Fanwo said.
He listed wisdom, sound judgement, strategic thinking and courage among the qualities required of a president. He also said the office demands an understanding of the economy, national security, institution-building and international relations.
Fanwo noted that a candidate could possess physical strength without having the ideas needed to govern a country. He also maintained that a leader could avoid public displays and still have the experience and intellectual ability required for the presidency.
He cited Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos State and Makinde’s two terms as governor of Oyo State in discussing their records in public office.
Fanwo also rejected the suggestion that Tinubu lacked physical energy simply because his opponents had made it a campaign issue. He said presidential candidates should face assessments based on their experience, policies and ability to deliver results.
Commissioner lists Tinubu administration’s policies
Fanwo defended Tinubu’s administration, citing the removal of the petrol subsidy and reforms in taxation, monetary policy and investment.
He acknowledged that subsidy removal had been painful and controversial but said the policy was presented as a fiscal reform to end a costly system that drained public funds and created opportunities for corruption.
The commissioner also cited initiatives intended to support small businesses, attract investment and improve Nigeria’s productive capacity.
He listed road and transport projects, support for state governments, student loans, social-investment programmes and food-security measures among the administration’s development programmes.
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Fanwo said the government’s record should be assessed fairly, with neither its achievements exaggerated nor its shortcomings ignored.
He also maintained that Makinde had every right to challenge Tinubu’s policies, but said criticism should include facts, alternative proposals and clear explanations of how those proposals would work.
The commissioner said Nigerians would benefit more from hearing candidates explain their plans for unemployment, electricity, inflation, education, healthcare and insecurity.
He also questioned what practical measures presidential aspirants would introduce to create jobs, reduce living costs, attract investment and expand industrial production.
Fanwo criticised political exchanges built around insults, provocative gestures and performances designed to attract reactions on social media. He said such displays might entertain supporters but offered little help to voters assessing candidates.
He advised Makinde to focus on his record, policies and vision, warning that political theatre could distract from the substance of his message.
Fanwo said disagreements were part of democracy, but maintained that political contests should produce better ideas for Nigerians.
WHAT READERS SHOULD KNOW
Fanwo’s response is about how presidential candidates should present themselves and how voters should assess their suitability for office.
The Kogi commissioner defended Tinubu’s record but acknowledged that legitimate criticisms of the administration existed. He maintained that the government’s policies should be judged on evidence and results.
He concluded by expressing support for Tinubu’s continued leadership, saying: “Nigeria will move forward with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We can’t abandon the gains of the past 41 months.”
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