By Otunba (Dr) Abdulfalil Abayomi Odunowo
National Chairman, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu Support Group (AATSG)
Lagos, 19 September 2026
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The question before us is not who speaks loudest at rallies or who commands the strongest online following, but who can translate policy into predictable governance, fair rules, and tangible improvements in people’s daily lives. On that score, I support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not on the basis of tribe, religion, or inherited entitlement, but on a straightforward, evidence-based assessment of competence, track record, and a credible reform agenda.
A frame for today’s judgement: competence as the objective measure, Competence means governance that is transparent, results-oriented, and capable of sustaining growth through uncertain times. It means budgets that add up, procurement that is fair and publicly verifiable, and public services that meet real needs routinely, not only in election years. It means decision-making grounded in evidence, with credible oversight and regular public reporting. If these standards are met, policy gains can be durable and widely shared, regardless of where one began in the political spectrum.
Foundations you can verify
– Coalition-building to advance reform: Tinubu helped shape the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013, a pivotal move that brought together several reform-minded parties to challenge the status quo and pursue governance improvements at the national level. This coalition-building demonstrated the capacity to unite diverse actors around a shared reform agenda.
– Governance experience across scales: From Lagos to national leadership discussions, Tinubu’s career has required coordinating budgets, aligning ministries, and delivering initiatives under difficult constraints. Supporters point to his track record of working through complex institutions to mobilize resources toward policy priorities.
– A reform-oriented policy compass: The core thrust of Tinubu’s platform emphasizes stronger institutions, fiscal discipline, transparent procurement, and a public sector focused on service delivery. The argument is that reforms should be judged by outcomes: reduced leakage, greater efficiency, and a more predictable environment for citizens and investors.
Policy arguments grounded in evidence and outcomes
– Fiscal discipline and macro stability: A credible governance program rests on transparent budgeting, tighter alignment of revenue and expenditure, and waste reduction. The objective is to free space for investment in roads, power, health, and education while maintaining debt sustainability. In essence, competence is shown in clear budgeting rules, regular independent audits, and public dashboards that track how resources are used.
– Public-service reform and merit-based governance: A professional civil service, payroll integrity, and performance-based governance can lift the quality and reliability of public services. When appointments reflect capability and accountability mechanisms exist, policy implementation becomes more predictable and outcomes improve.
– Investment climate and private-sector partnership: Competent leadership should steadily reduce arbitrary regulatory hurdles, enforce transparent procurement, and deliver stable policy signals. These conditions attract investment, create employment, and accelerate critical infrastructure development.
– Energy policy and subsidy reform as a growth lever: Rationalizing energy subsidies and strengthening sector governance are widely seen as essential for macro stability. Well-designed subsidy reform, paired with targeted social protection, can reduce waste and enable investments in generation, transmission, and grid reliability, while protecting the most vulnerable during transitions.
– Anti-corruption and governance integrity: A competence-based case prioritizes stronger anti-corruption mechanisms, clearer asset disclosures, and enforcement against malfeasance. The practical measure is tangible gains in transparency, accountability, and public trust.
How to discuss leadership without identity framing
– Focus on outcomes and process: Ground arguments in measurable metrics budget execution, project delivery timelines, procurement transparency, and the speed and quality of policy implementation. Discuss reforms by their real-world effects on everyday Nigerians: lower costs, faster service, and clearer accountability.
– Acknowledge trade-offs with candor: Reforms often entail short-term costs for longer-term gains. Communicate sequencing, transitional supports for vulnerable groups, and robust risk mitigations to build trust in governance.
– Compare policies on the basis of evidence: Weigh reforms against data, independent audits, and third-party evaluations. Favor policies that demonstrate consistent progress across multiple indicators, not those that chase headlines.
A constructive path forward for Nigeria
– Evidence-based evaluation: Establish and publicly publish dashboards tracking key indicators budget accuracy, subsidy reform outcomes, project completion rates, and citizen satisfaction with service delivery. Embed independent audits and civil-society oversight in the policy cycle.
– Inclusive policy design: Create structured channels for input from business, labor, civil society, and local governments to improve policy relevance and mitigate unintended consequences.
– Transparent communications about trade-offs: Explain why reforms are pursued, how transitional arrangements will work, and what safety nets protect the vulnerable during change.
A call to readers
This is not a celebration of flawless policy or a blanket defense of every reform idea. It is a serious appeal to evaluate leadership through competence, evidence, and governance performance. If Tinubu’s administration can demonstrate clear, verifiable improvements in revenue management, service delivery, investment climate, and public trust alongside transparent processes and credible accountability then the case for his leadership rests on governance quality, not on identity or affiliation.
Credit
This piece is prepared for publication with the support and endorsement of Otunba (Dr) Abdulfalil Abayomi Odunowo, National Chairman of the Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu Support Group (AATSG). Dated 19 September 2026
Endnote
Readers seeking a more detailed evidentiary trail, regional data, or policy proposal specifics can request a tailored appendix with dates, sources, and measurable indicators to accompany an extended AATSG submission.
