In a pointed commentary on the current political discourse in Nigeria, EdTech innovator Dr. Usman Isyaku (X handle: @DrUsmanIsyaku) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of political hypocrisy for urging Nigerians not to oppose his administration on the basis of regional loyalty.
Dr. Isyaku’s post, which has sparked significant reactions online, questions Tinubu’s newfound stance that “it is the turn of the South,” citing the president’s historical opposition to other southern leaders.
“Bola Tinubu worked against Olusegun Obasanjo, a southern president. He worked against his successor, Umaru Yar’adua. He worked against Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, another southern president. In 2025, he’s telling you not to work against him because it is the turn of the south,” Dr. Isyaku wrote.
The statement highlights what many perceive as a contradiction in Tinubu’s political trajectory. While he now appeals to regional sentiments to consolidate support, his previous political alliances and oppositions suggest a more strategic than ideological approach.
Tinubu’s Past Political Moves:
Against Obasanjo (1999–2007): As Lagos State governor under the AD party, Tinubu had a famously strained relationship with then-President Obasanjo. Their political rivalry was marked by fiscal and legal disputes, particularly over the Lagos local councils.
Against Yar’Adua (2007–2010): Despite Yar’Adua being from the North, Tinubu positioned his influence through the ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria) to challenge PDP dominance during Yar’Adua’s term.
Against Jonathan (2010–2015): Tinubu played a central role in forming the APC coalition that unseated Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Despite Jonathan being a fellow Southerner, Tinubu backed Northern candidate Muhammadu Buhari, helping deliver a historic opposition victory.
Now in power, President Tinubu has leaned on the narrative of Southern entitlement to power, especially as critics from various regions intensify scrutiny of his administration’s performance ahead of the 2025 political season.
Dr. Isyaku’s critique underscores a growing skepticism among Nigerians toward ethnoregional arguments used for political survival. His voice, emerging from the EdTech sector rather than traditional political circles, reflects the increasingly diverse nature of political commentary in Nigeria’s digital age.
