As the dawn of 2026 breaks over Nigeria, a palpable sense of foreboding looms in the air. This year is not merely another chapter in the nation’s history; it is a harbinger of political theatrics and unfulfilled promises. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, history suggests that the year preceding any election is often marked by a troubling lull in governance. The people watch as Politicians, engrossed in campaigns and propaganda, neglect the very responsibilities they were elected to uphold.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which came to power on May 29, 2023, has been fraught with controversies and unkept promises. The long-awaited tax reforms, heralded as a means to rejuvenate the economy, have instead sparked skepticism. Many Nigerians perceive these policies as little more than a desperate bid to fund re-election efforts rather than genuine attempts to improve the nation’s financial health. The chairman of the tax reform committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has struggled to convince the populace that these initiatives are in their best interest, as disillusionment grows.
The removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023 was marketed as a transformative measure designed to redirect funds toward infrastructural development. Yet, nearly two and a half years later, the streets remain riddled with potholes, and the promise of progress remains unfulfilled. Instead, citizens have experienced an increase in electricity tariffs amidst a dramatic decline in the value of the naira against the dollar. The government seems to delight in policies that further impoverish the populace, while public office holders live lavishly, seemingly oblivious to the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
For many, the daily grind has become a painful reminder of the widening chasm between the elite and the average citizen. The purchasing power of Nigerians has dwindled to insignificance, and with it, the hope for a better life. While the government bombards the public with propaganda, the truth remains stark: the majority of citizens are trapped in a cycle of poverty, desperate for even the smallest handouts. A mere five thousand naira might compel some to sing the ruling party’s national anthem, “On your mandate, we shall stand,” even as they worry about their next meal.
The promise of CNG buses to alleviate transportation woes has also vanished into thin air, leaving citizens to fend for themselves. Many have resigned themselves to the reality that their leaders are unaccountable, preferring instead to retreat to places of worship, hoping that divine intervention will compel their leaders to act in the public’s interest.
Insecurity remains a pressing concern, with daily reports of violence and bloodshed. The government has claimed progress in addressing these challenges, yet the grim reality tells a different story. It took a pointed threat from U.S. President Donald Trump to prompt any semblance of action. The administration’s propagandists, who had previously assured the public of safety and security, suddenly found themselves scrambling for answers.
As the year unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that the Tinubu administration has done little to restore faith in governance. With 2027 approaching, politicians who once deserted their constituencies will soon resurface, armed with palliatives—rice, sugar, and five-thousand-naira bribes—aimed at securing votes from the ever-gullible electorates. It is a tragic cycle, one that seems destined to repeat itself as the new year brings with it a palpable sense of disillusionment.
The health sector paints a similarly bleak picture. Medical practitioners, disheartened by the state of hospitals, have fled to foreign lands in search of better opportunities. The hospitals remain mere shadows of their former selves, and even the president himself seeks treatment abroad for ailments as trivial as a cough. The recent tragic accident involving British boxer Anthony Joshua and his friends starkly highlights the failures of medical emergency response in Nigeria. With no ambulances available, injured victims were hastily transported in a police Hilux, a far cry from the efficient healthcare system that citizens deserve.
As we step into 2026, one cannot help but wonder if this will be a year of zero governance, marked by empty promises and political manoeuvring. The signs are not encouraging. Yet, there remains a flicker of hope.
To the Tinubu administration, I implore you: prove me wrong. Show us that 2026 will not be a year of neglect but a turning point in governance. Let this year be defined by actions that uplift and empower the Nigerian people, rather than by the empty rhetoric of political campaigns. The nation deserves better; it is time to deliver on promises and restore faith in the leadership. For those unwavering supporters of ineffective politicians and public officials, take a moment to reflect deeply and speak the truth to your leaders with honesty.
