…President’s “eyeglasses” remark called insensitive as Nigerians battle hunger, insecurity, and rising cost of living
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s comment that his administration will provide eyeglasses for Nigerians who cannot see the achievements of his Renewed Hope agenda may have been intended as humour, but for millions of Nigerians struggling with the realities of everyday life, the statement is anything but funny.
The question is simple: Which achievements are you talking about, Mr. President?
If Nigerians are supposedly unable to see the progress of the country, perhaps the government should first look at what many Nigerians are actually experiencing: rising hardship, insecurity, unemployment, high living costs, kidnapping, banditry and a growing sense of uncertainty about the future.
What good is an economic policy if ordinary Nigerians can barely afford food? What achievement should a parent celebrate when providing basic necessities for the family has become increasingly difficult? What progress should communities recognise when insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods?
The government cannot dismiss legitimate concerns by suggesting that Nigerians simply cannot see its achievements. Nigerians are not blind. They are living the reality of the policies being implemented by this administration every day.
The cost of living is not something Nigerians read about on social media. They experience it in markets, at petrol stations, in transport fares and in their homes. Insecurity is not an abstract political argument to families who have lost loved ones or communities living in fear.
Rather than offering Nigerians “eyeglasses,” the administration should provide answers.
Nigerians deserve accountability, measurable results, and a government that listens when citizens complain. Leadership is not about insisting that everything is working; it is about acknowledging what is not working and fixing it.
And as the country approaches 2027, Nigerians should not allow political slogans, propaganda, or personality politics to determine their choices, and I can say Atiku Abubakar seems to be the right candidate to lead Nigeria. The coming election should be an opportunity to examine every political alternative based on competence, character, experience, policies, and the ability to provide a better direction for the country.
Whether the alternative comes from the APC, PDP, or any other political platform, Nigerians must ask one fundamental question: Who can realistically offer better leadership and improve the lives of ordinary citizens?
The 2027 election should, therefore, be about the future of Nigeria, not political jokes about eyeglasses. Nigerians have the right to demand better, scrutinise every candidate, and make an informed choice.
Mr. President, Nigerians can see clearly.
The real question is whether the government is willing to see what Nigerians are seeing.
Signed:
Comrade James Onifade
Office of the founder and convener of Obailukan Strategic Support Group for Atiku (OSSAT)
