Ribadu’s ‘Tinubu Gains’ Rhetoric

By Amarike Akpoke

In a speech full of boastful rhetoric, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, painted an almost phantasmic picture of a transformed Nigeria, one where terrorists are on the run, bandits are surrendering in droves, and Nigerians are free to roam without fear. Repeatedly, Ribadu invoked ‘Tinubu’s gains’ as evidence of this seismic shift, promising that under President Tinubu’s watch, peace and security are once again becoming Nigeria’s reality. Yet, this confident portrayal is staggeringly out of step with the grim reality in which Nigerians continue to live. Despite claims of progress, people are still dying at the hands of terror groups; soldiers are ambushed at checkpoints; and communities remain terrorized. For a nation grappling daily with violence, Ribadu’s words ring hollow, and his declarations come across as little more than disconnected bluster.

Contrasting Ribadu’s assertions with the realities on the ground reveals an unsettling disconnect. Within the same timeframe as his speech, at least 17 people were killed in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, and cattle rustling raids continue to devastate rural economies in Sokoto and Kebbi. Also about the same time on Wednesday, 13 November, 2024, in the Southeast, armed groups swooped on soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA along Umuahia–Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, killing two in the process. Perhaps, the armed group was just on hand to put a lie to one of Mr. Ribadu’s wild claims that “Many parts of our country today are living in peace…” and that “South-East is getting to be at peace with itself and the rest of our country.”  These are not isolated incidents; they are part of an ongoing wave of violence that has upended the lives of ordinary Nigerians across multiple regions. For these affected communities, "Tinubu’s gains" must sound like a grim punch-line, a grim reminder of promises made in Abuja but lost in transit en route Sokoto, Kebbi, Abia, and beyond. 

Ribadu’s ‘nobody dares President Bola Tinubu and wins’ proclamation highlights a worrying trend - the personalization of governance by overzealous aides who conflate the state with a single leader, elevating President Tinubu to a figure of singular authority as if national security challenges are a personal affront to him. Such language not only misrepresents governance but also feeds into a culture of sycophancy that undermines the very essence of public service. Ribadu's rhetoric reduces the fight against terrorism, banditry, and insecurity to a personal vendetta on behalf of the president rather than a collective duty of the Nigerian state to protect its citizens. National security is a mandate of the entire government and the security agencies sworn to serve the people, not a means to glorify a single individual. Nigeria’s security challenges, whether posed by insurgents, militants, or bandits, require a unified, nonpartisan response from the state, focused solely on the welfare of Nigerians. By framing these issues as battles “dared” against Tinubu personally, Ribadu risks diminishing the state's authority and prioritizing loyalty over accountability.

This form of sycophantic rhetoric is not new in Nigerian politics. All too often, we have seen aides, advisers, and appointees align themselves with the perceived persona of the “Oga at the top,” eager to remain in their favour. But personalizing the machinery of state governance erodes the credibility of public institutions and turns governance into a one-man show. It is a dangerous precedent that weakens institutional integrity and places undue pressure on the president, who is one part of a larger, collective system of government. Furthermore, this narrative of personalization distracts from the pressing issues themselves. Nigerians need assurances that national security is being tackled with coordinated strategies, well-resourced operations, and a dedicated commitment to citizen safety, not with flamboyant boasts of invincibility. They need to see results, not hyperbolic statements, and to feel the impact of real solutions, not displays of loyalty to a single leader. For Ribadu to channel energy into such declarations only magnifies the gap between official statements and actual progress in citizens’ everyday lives.

Another aspect of Mr. Ribadu’s proclamation that has left Nigerians stunned is a parade of overblown claims that read more like a fantastical script than a sober assessment of Nigeria’s pressing challenges. In Ribadu’s version of reality, bandits are scattering in fear, Boko Haram is retreating to Chad, the Central Bank is miraculously spotless, and President Tinubu is in demand by world leaders. But these statements, rather than inspiring confidence, expose an embarrassing disconnect from the everyday experiences of Nigerians. Firstly, Ribadu’s portrayal of fleeing bandits and daily surrenders sounds reassuring on the surface, but it fails to address the continued daily security threats that haunt citizens in many parts of the country. Reports of violent attacks by groups like Lakurawa and other insurgents, continued incidents of kidnappings (especially along Enugu-Ugwuogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka road), cult-wars mowing down youths in their numbers in Awka Anambra State, and rural Benue, Niger, Plateau, and Kaduna communities under perpetual siege, paint a grim reality that directly contradicts Ribadu’s assertions. His insistence that Boko Haram has “moved to Chad” is equally detached from the ongoing security operations against the group within Nigeria. The heart of the issue lies in the government’s penchant for conflating optimistic forecasts with present-day realities. Statements like “no one dares Tinubu and wins” may carry rhetorical weight in conferences and ceremonies, but they do little to address the real and present dangers that Nigerians face. While Ribadu boasts that Boko Haram has “fled to Niger Republic,” those in affected states know that militant groups may simply shift focus rather than disappear, only to resurface later with renewed vigour. If Nigeria’s security apparatus is indeed so unified and effective, one wonders why terror groups such as Boko Haram, the still-resilient bandit networks, and now Lakurawa, remain a constant menace. It doesn’t seem to bother him that Nigerians need real strategies to end violence and tangible evidence of improved security, not inflated boasts about enemies on the run. Boasts of unity within the security forces must be measured against actual improvements in people’s lives. Pitiably, for now, the latter is still severely lacking.

The NSA’s speech further underscores the chronic issue of leadership in Nigeria, leaders far removed from the ordinary Nigerian’s experiences, issuing proclamations and targets that seem plucked from an alternate reality. For those hearing of “Tinubu’s gains” from behind the walls of terror-threatened communities, Ribadu’s words serve as a gruesome reminder of how out of touch officials can become. Real gains would mean that families no longer fear attacks in the middle of the night; that farmers can tend to their fields without fearing rustlers, and that soldiers are not caught defenseless at checkpoints; that Lakurawa are not offering natives mouth-watering sums of money as inducement for easy recruitment. While the Tinubu administration may indeed be making strides in areas such as oil production and foreign exchange policies, these are gains that primarily benefit macroeconomic indicators, not the personal safety and security of everyday Nigerians. For the countless victims of violence, Ribadu’s sweeping promises are nothing more than empty platitudes. Nigerians are all too familiar with the cycle of grand proclamations followed by minimal or absent results, and they know that true gains will be measured not in rhetoric but in the safety of their streets, homes, and communities.

Ribadu’s claim that the Central Bank is “clean” and that no one is profiting dishonestly, unlike in 2023, is another example of hollow rhetoric. In a nation still grappling with inflation, currency instability, and a debt burden exacerbated by foreign exchange challenges, assurances of a pristine Central Bank feel woefully inadequate. Going by the data published by the Debt Management Office last week, Nigeria’s public debt stood at N134.297 trillion as of the second quarter of 2024 (June, 2024). Also, a data review for the second quarter debt portfolio of the country released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that the debt owed by every Nigerian on the average stood at N619, 501. This so-called debt was incurred on behalf of poor and innocent Nigerians without their knowledge or express permission. And yet, Mr. NSA wants us all to clap and jig to his ‘Tinubu gains’ rhythms! Perhaps, unknown to Mr. Ribadu, what Nigerians need are transparency, accountability, and actionable financial reforms to stabilize the naira—not empty reassurances about a sudden cleansing.

What is more? His claim that “the world is looking for President Tinubu,” citing a supposed queue of world leaders eager to court his leadership, strikes an absurdly jarring note. While positive international engagement is welcome, Nigeria’s credibility on the world stage depends less on flattering interest in the president than on how effectively the government can resolve internal crises and deliver prosperity to its people. This dissonance between Ribadu’s grand declarations and the reality on the ground only reinforces the gap between government narratives and Nigerians' lived experiences. Ribadu would serve the public far better by acknowledging the country’s challenges with honesty and pledging solutions that genuinely address citizens’ needs, rather than banking on rhetoric that rings hollow in the ears of a nation well acquainted with hardship. It is time for government officials to engage with realism, humility, and accountability, demonstrating true gains rather than painting over the cracks with platitudes.

Ultimately, the Nigerian government owes the public more than hollow speeches. To proclaim “Tinubu’s gains” amid unabated violence and insecurity trivializes the horrific experience of millions. Nigerians need a security apparatus that responds to threats, protects citizens, and provides an honest assessment of the nation’s challenges. Until this reality aligns with the lofty assurances from Abuja, the phrase “Tinubu’s gains” will stand as a stark reminder of a government more concerned with image than impact. In this moment of national crisis, Nigeria needs true leadership that recognizes the depth of the challenges it faces, and works relentlessly to overcome them.

Nigerians need assurances that national security is being tackled with coordinated strategies, well-resourced operations, and a dedicated commitment to citizen safety, not with flamboyant boasts of invincibility. They need to see results, not hyperbolic statements, and to feel the impact of real solutions, not displays of loyalty to a single leader. For Ribadu to channel energy into such declarations only magnifies the gap between official statements and actual progress in citizens’ everyday lives. It is imperative that officials understand that their role is to serve the Nigerian people, not to score points with their superiors. Ribadu and other senior government representatives would do well to remember that Nigeria’s stability and safety are not trophies in a personal contest. Their loyalty should be to the Constitution, the rule of law, and the Nigerian people, not to the preservation of a particular leader’s image. Effective governance demands professionalism, neutrality, and a respect for institutions. Sycophantic posturing, however, undercuts the ability of officials to speak truth to power, challenge the status quo when necessary, and prioritize national interests above all else. It is time to remind those entrusted with power that Nigerians need a government that views security as a shared, solemn responsibility, not as a battlefield for personal allegiance.

Finally, Mr. Ribadu’s threat to ‘shut up critics’ and a promise ‘to do that,’ is as alarming as it is misguided. In a democracy, criticism is not treason; it is the bedrock of accountability and the voice of the people ensuring that those in power remain answerable to the public. But Ribadu’s defiant stance paints critics as adversaries to be subdued rather than contributors to a healthier, more responsive governance. It is quite troubling when public officials interpret critique as a threat to silence. Constructive criticism is not only an integral part of democracy but a vital mechanism for refining policy, identifying blind spots, and reorienting efforts where necessary. Rather than acknowledging the legitimate concerns of those who dare to question, Ribadu’s rhetoric reinforces the notion of governance as a closed circle, intolerant of outside perspectives. This attitude undermines the transparency that Nigerians desperately seek and which leaders are obligated to uphold.

Moreover, Ribadu’s combative posture betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the value critics bring to governance. When dissenting voices highlight flaws, they are, in essence, offering the government, an opportunity to correct course. The persistence of corruption, security failures, and economic hardship demands engagement with critics, not their erasure. Instead of resorting to bluster, Ribadu would do well to channel his energy into addressing the substantive issues that give rise to public discontent. In a democratic society, leadership is judged not by how effectively it silences critics but by how meaningfully it responds to them. Ribadu’s statement serves as a reminder that genuine leadership embraces dissent as a tool for growth, not as an obstacle to bulldoze. Rather than ‘shutting up’ critics, the Nigerian government must learn to listen to them, because in a true democracy, the people will always have the last word.