In an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Dr. Usman Bugaje, a former House of Representatives member and elder statesman, criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its lack of progress in addressing Nigeria's pressing issues during its first year. Responding to the government's decision to mark the anniversary with a low-key approach, Bugaje remarked, "The last one year has been a tragedy, simple. There is not one problem they have been able to solve."
Bugaje attributed the subdued celebrations to the administration's acknowledgment of the public’s frustration and anger. He suggested that the government is aware of the pressure and discontent among Nigerians, possibly attempting to mitigate this anger. "Since this administration came one year ago, I’ve not seen one problem that they have solved. If anything, the policies they started with have created far more problems than they found," he stated.
Emphasizing the need for expert advice, Bugaje urged the administration to seek help from experienced individuals, regardless of their political affiliations. He noted that many countries have overcome similar challenges by leveraging expertise from outside the government. "Nigeria is full of people with the experience and expertise... this is the way many countries have been able to get out of the problems they have found themselves," he said.
Highlighting the importance of measurable metrics in governance, Bugaje expressed disappointment over the administration's lack of baseline metrics for evaluating progress. He pointed to the recent kidnapping of 20 people in Dawaki, Abuja, as a sign of the deteriorating security situation. "What I’ve had so far are empty rhetorics that have not spoken to the problems on the ground," Bugaje concluded, calling for tangible solutions and a willingness to seek assistance from experienced individuals outside government circles.
