I have a confession to make, which before you raise your brows, understand that this confession is not a scorecard, not a declaration of loyalty, nor an attempt to polish the image of anyone in power. However, it is simply an honest observation from a citizen watching his country evolve under new hands.
My confession is this; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is proactive. Yes, he is and in a nation where leaders often wait for crises to define them, that counts for something.
President Tinubu understands timing, meaning ; when to react, when to pause, and when to strike. His decisions may not always be perfect, but they are rarely delayed. He listens, measures the odds, and acts with calculated resolve.
Whether it is negotiating with labor unions, providing alternatives for students, or restructuring key agencies, Tinubu rarely lets issues rust on his desk.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not applauding every policy he has introduced. Some deserve honest criticism, but many have drawn it. But as citizens, we must learn to be balanced in terms of criticizing when necessary and to acknowledge merit when due.
A Leader of Timing
My observation stems from a simple comparison, drawn from how the ASUU strike lingered for eight months in 2020, and nearly a year in 2022? The previous administration watched as public universities decayed, students languished, and the nation’s intellectual foundation crumbled. The president at the time famously said he was “not aware.”
Now compare that to the current administration’s quicker, if not perfect, approach. Tinubu may not have solved all the problems of higher education, but his willingness to engage, negotiate, and respond shows a level of political awareness that was missing before.
This, perhaps, is one quality that defines Tinubu’s presidency so far, is a champion of readiness to act. And in Nigeria’s sluggish governance culture, readiness is often the difference between reform and regret.
The Era of Fire and Hire
In recent months, Tinubu has ushered in a wave of appointments and sackings that have reshaped Nigeria’s power structure. He swore in a new INEC chairman, reshuffled the leadership of the Armed Forces, and dismissed several serving generals.
These actions sparked mixed reactions ranging from praise, suspicion, and the usual social media outrage.
Tinubu remained calm in the storm. He did not respond with long speeches or defensive statements. Instead, he allowed his decisions to speak for themselves. His message, deliberate or not, was clear, that; the era of passive leadership is over.
But beyond the optics, these appointments raise critical questions about Nigeria’s political and institutional health. Are these changes designed to strengthen democracy or merely to consolidate control? Are we witnessing reform or recycling in disguise?
The answers will depend on the men now tasked with rebuilding fragile institutions particularly Prof. Amupitan, the new INEC chairman.
The Burden of Credibility
It is one thing to be appointed to office, and quite another to deliver on its promises. Nigeria has seen INEC chairmen come and go, some leaving legacies, others leaving scars.
But Prof. Amupitan arrives with both hope and heavy expectations, being a first-class law graduate, dedicated academic, and seasoned civil servant, that has earned his stripes through scholarship and service.
Yet, as every Nigerian knows, good credentials don’t always make good leaders.
The task before Amupitan is dauntin, relating the fact that Nigerians are weary of manipulated elections, inconsistent technology, and opaque result transmissions. They want a process that is believable. The burden of credibility rests squarely on his shoulders.
We expect Prof. Amupitan to rise beyond academic brilliance and show administrative courage, in other to protect INEC’s independence and resist the political pressures that have tainted the commission in the past.
Nigerians deserve a democracy where “what belongs to Caesar goes to Caesar,” not to whoever wields the most power. The electoral field must be level, not tilted toward privilege.
INEC’s past failures are well documented, notnjust in paper, but even in the mind Nigerians’, and its reputation bruised. But with a new Electoral Act and new leadership, the hope is that Amupitan will move from promises to performance.
If he succeeds, history will remember him as the man who repaired Nigeria’s fragile institution.
The People’s General and the Coup That Never Was
In the security circle, General C.G. Musa VS the new Chief of Defence Staff, has emerged as one of the most admired officers in recent times. Known for his firmness, discipline, and humane leadership style, he has brought a fresh air of accessibility to the military.
Civilians now engage with the military in ways previously unthinkable, which is a sign of improved trust and respect.
When presidential aide Bayo Onanuga described the latest military reshuffle as “an effort to strengthen national security,” it sparked curiosity. Strengthen it against what? The rumored October 1st “coup that never was”? Whatever the case, Musa’s approach firm yet open deserves acknowledgment.
However, that “coup that never was” should serve as a wake-up call. It reflects citizens’ growing frustration with governance, but also a dangerous nostalgia for military intervention.
Those who romanticize the return of khaki forget the dark memories Abacha’s silence, Buhari’s decrees, Babangida’s endless transition traps. Military rule may seem decisive, but it breeds fear, waste, and corruption of a different kind.
If anything, that rumor should remind those in power that the people’s patience is thin, and their trust must be earned daily. For the rest of us, it’s a call to caution, to never let our hunger for quick solutions lead us back into darkness.
Editorial Reflections
President Tinubu’s recent moves of the firings, hirings, and bold appointments show a man eager to shape his own legacy. But the test of leadership is not speed; it’s sustainability. Being proactive is only meaningful when the actions lead to progress, not just headlines.
The appointments of Prof. Amupitan and General Musa present an opportunity, which is a chance to rebuild two of Nigeria’s most critical institutions: the ballot and the barracks. One guards our votes; the other guards our borders. Both must now guard our democracy.
Nigeria’s problem has never been the absence of good people; it is the absence of systems that make good people effective. The country needs institutions that outlive their heads, laws that bind leaders, and citizens who demand accountability beyond election season.
President Tinubu has shown the willingness to act. The question is whether his actions will translate into reforms that last or whether they will fade into the same old Nigerian story: change without change.
Final Thought
As Nigerians, we must resist the temptation to watch from the sidelines. We must hold leaders accountable not only when they fail but also when they begin to drift from the path of reform. Tinubu’s proactiveness deserves acknowledgment, let alone it also demands results.
Our electoral system must no longer be wimpy. Our institutions must no longer serve power but protect it. Only then can the phrase “renewed hope” become more than a campaign slogan. it can become a lived reality.
