By Nnaoke Ufere, PhD
This essay offers a reflective and prospective analysis of how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s executive decisions have already cemented his legacy as a national villain. Though only in the second year of his term, Tinubu’s actions, coupled with his unwavering refusal to change course, have inflicted lasting damage on the nation.
This has effectively sealed his political fate, leaving little doubt about the trajectory of his legacy and the lasting impact of his presidency.
History has delivered its judgment on his presidency, and no actions taken during the remainder of his term are likely to alter this predetermined outcome. The narrative arc of his administration has been firmly set, and the verdict appears final and irreversible. He is destined to live and die as a villain in the eyes of many.
In the context of Nigeria, Tinubu is a villain who is perceived by majority of Nigerians to have acted against the people’s interests, driven by self-serving motives, and neglected the nation’s well-being. As a villain, his leadership has been harmful, with his policies and actions causing widespread suffering and deepening inequality.
As a result, he is a figure whose choices have led to devastation and positioned him in history as a negative force rather than a leader who uplifted the nation.
Some of his surrogates claim he just needs more time to turn things around, but such dramatic recoveries are rare. These promises of a political “nirvana” are often empty rhetoric, meant to pacify public discontent. President Tinubu doesn’t have a magic wand to revive an already comatose economy.
As you read this essay today, I encourage you to save it or come back here and revisit it in 2027. By then, the full weight of his story and its inevitable conclusion will become clearer.
This essay draws from interviews with dozens of individuals who have known Mr. Tinubu throughout his career, from his tenure as a senator and governor of Lagos to his role in the APC and ascent to the presidency. Many of these credible sources, including past acquaintances, party operatives and members of his administration, requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal for being identified.
How it all Started
Tinubu’s rapid descent from a revered Lagos hero figure to a national villain began during his tenure as governor of Lagos, where his initial achievements were soon marred by blind ambition, self-centeredness and significant moral compromises.
During his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, Tinubu was hailed as a champion of the people. He initially gained widespread praise for transforming Lagos into an economic powerhouse, improving infrastructure, and increasing the state’s internally generated revenue.
His leadership appeared bold, visionary, and transformative. However, as his control over Lagos grew, his personal ambitions began to blur with state governance.
It didn’t take long for his insatiable hunger for power and self-enrichment to overshadow his governance. What had started as a legitimate pursuit of leadership quickly transformed into an unchecked craving for wealth, control, and dominance.
While many saw him as the architect of Lagos’ progress, behind the scenes, Tinubu was allegedly abusing his power and authority to amass personal wealth and position his loyalists into key political positions.
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s ambitions extended far beyond Lagos, as he strategically positioned himself for national power as the APC party godfather. With each calculated move, his once-principled stance on democracy and social justice as a top member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (Nadeco) became increasingly hollow, exposing his true intent: to procure the presidency at any cost.
He leveraged his charm, threats and cunning to consolidate control, installing loyal “godchildren” to maintain his influence and shield his misdeeds long after leaving the governor’s office. His ultimate aim was to build a political brand that would carry him to the highest office in the country, allowing nothing to stand in his way.
The “Teflon Boss”: A History of Criminal Accusations
Bola Tinubu has faced numerous criminal accusations over the years, including links to drug trafficking, financial misconduct, and corruption. Despite settlements, forfeitures, and ongoing controversies surrounding his wealth and political influence, Tinubu has remained largely unscathed, earning a reputation as a “Teflon Boss”, a leader seemingly beyond accountability.
According to the Verified Complaint in case No. 93 C 4483, filed in 1993, Bola Tinubu was linked to accounts associated with proceeds from a 1988 drug trafficking operation led by Adegoboyega Akande. While Tinubu initially admitted knowing Akande, he later retracted his statement. However, the court found sufficient grounds to believe the funds in question were connected to drug-related activities.
Tinubu agreed to forfeit $460,000 in a settlement, avoiding personal charges. The US government put him on surveillance until he quickly left for Nigeria. But the case continued to raise questions about his financial dealings.
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) revealed that Tinubu owned at least 17 U.K. properties, acquired through offshore companies while he was Lagos governor from 1999 to 2007. Transparency International U.K. suggested these properties were likely purchased with illicit funds, raising concerns about corruption and financial misconduct during his tenure.
Another clear example of Tinubu’s abuse of power was his awarding of a lucrative tax collection contract to Alpha Beta Consulting, a firm closely linked to him. According to insider Dapo Apara, millions were funneled to Tinubu through this arrangement, raising concerns about cronyism and financial misconduct. Rather than face court, Tinubu negotiated a settlement, further cementing his reputation for using state resources for personal gain.
Under Tinubu’s leadership, reports widely indicated that his family and associates acquired undervalued public land in Lagos, which he later resold or developed them at a large profit after designating these areas as economic development zones. Insiders interviewed confirmed this, amplifying criticism that Tinubu prioritized personal wealth over public service, further tarnishing his reputation for cronyism and misuse of state resources.
To be clear, Mr. Tinubu has not been convicted of any crimes he’s been accused of. He often settles before trial, negotiates asset forfeiture, or suppresses justice, particularly in Nigeria, where the legal system is susceptible to corruption.
These actions, combined with growing public skepticism about his integrity, began to overshadow Tinubu’s early successes, leading to his gradual fall from the position of a democratic hero to one seen as morally compromised and power-hungry.
Despite these glaring shortcomings, well known to the APC leadership, they still nominated him as their presidential candidate. Why? In our country, money buys nominations and elections.
Rise Before the Fall
Tinubu’s rise to national prominence was fueled by a well-orchestrated publicity campaign that crafted an exaggerated narrative of him as “the man who built Lagos.”
This carefully constructed image, promoted by his surrogates, loyal godchildren, and a gullible media, was designed to position him as Nigeria’s savior, poised to rescue the nation from the failures and indignities of his predecessor and fellow party member, Muhammadu Buhari.
According to knowledgeable insiders, Tinubu secured the APC presidential nomination through a combination of financial incentives to party kingmakers and delegates, and a corrupt quid pro quo arrangement with Northern elites. His wealth allowed him to outspend his rivals for the nomination.
A crucial part of his strategy involved securing the backing of Northern political elites, whose support was essential for success in both the nomination and the general election.
To gain their trust, Tinubu made key compromises, including selecting a Muslim Northern vice president, Kashim Shettima, and promising to protect Northern political and economic interests by appointing Northerners to key ministerial and administrative posts demanded by those elites.
The compromises he made to gain Northern support—while politically expedient—ultimately weakened his legitimacy and eroded trust in his leadership.
In addition to financial and political deals, Tinubu reportedly used manipulation and coercion to consolidate power within the APC, sidelining opponents and ensuring that internal processes favored his candidacy.
His combination of financial clout, tribal and regional compromises, and co-opting the INEC and judicial systems paved the way for him to secure the nomination and, eventually, the presidency.
However, these same tactics exposed his fundamental lack of qualification for the office. His reliance on financial payoffs and political manipulation demonstrated a leader driven more by ambition than by vision, integrity or competence.
Right from the start, he lacked the essential qualities to unite the nation and tackle its complex challenges, choosing instead to prioritize consolidating power over problem-solving and effective governance.
By nominating a candidate whose path to the presidency was built on cronyism, manipulation, and narrow self-interested alliances with the Northern elites, the APC effectively set the stage for Tinubu’s eventual downfall.
Tinubu’s rise to power, built on shallow foundations, ensured that his presidency would be marked by failure, tarnishing both his legacy and the nation he was meant to lead.
Unqualified for the Presidency
As president, Tinubu was woefully unprepared for the responsibilities of leadership. He quickly proved unfit for the role he had so desperately sought. His lack of vision, competence, and integrity became glaringly apparent. His first major policies, including the reckless removal of fuel subsidies and a hasty currency devaluation, wreaked havoc on the nation’s economy.
These early decisions, made without forethought or concern for their impact on the people, showcased the depth of his descent into self-serving tyranny. The leader who once claimed to uplift Lagos had become the architect of widespread economic devastation.
His cabinet appointments reflected mediocrity, as they were based on loyalty and subservience rather than competence and the ability to solve the pressing problems of the people.
Overwhelmed by the challenges of governance, he frequently sought refuge abroad, signaling his inability to confront the nation’s issues head-on. What once appeared as confidence quickly faded, leaving behind a diminished figure—lost, unsure, and lacking direction. His swagger was replaced by confusion, with no clear plan to guide the country forward.
His presidency, far from the promise of renewal and progress, became marked by economic mismanagement, cronyism, and policies that only deepened the suffering of our people.
As Tinubu’s administration stumbled from crisis to crisis, the people who had once cheered for him began to see through the facade. Disillusionment and anger spread across the country.
His once-strong alliances, particularly with Northern power brokers, began to fray. Isolated and surrounded by sycophants who fed his ego, Tinubu became a leader out of touch with reality, clinging desperately to power as his regime devolved into blame shifting and devoid of what to do next to solve the nation’s wicked problems.
The man who once claimed to represent the people had become their oppressor, ruling with fear, intimidation, and whimsical decrees that only deepened the nation’s suffering.
Tinubu’s journey serves as a cautionary tale—a stark reminder of how unchecked ambition, deep character flaws, and moral decay can derail a leader. His rise and eventual downfall are not merely tragic; they stand as a grave warning about the dangers of hubris, political corruption, abuse of power, and a compromised moral compass.
Why Tinubu Failed: Tragedy of Character
Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher, warned that “character is a man’s destiny.” In the end, it is Tinubu’s flawed character, above all else, that sealed his fate, leading his political life down a path of inevitable ruin—with the nation left as collateral damage.
From the beginning, Tinubu’s character was questionable. Those who dealt with him knew his willingness to go to any lengths, whether to amass wealth or gain fame or both.
Blinded by the allure of fame and fortune, his flaws were many, yet he showed no remorse. Wealth became his shield, or so he believed. Fame became his entitlement. “Emi lokan” (“it’s my turn” to be president, he boldly declared) before he was even nominated. Yet he was unprepared to be president.
He became a man trapped in his own web of deceit, where greed and ambition overtook the very principles he once claimed to stand for.
According to interviews with his former and current associates, President Tinubu’s leadership is defined by several significant character flaws that have profoundly impacted both his governance and sealed his fate as a villain:
- Unbridled blind Ambition: He possesses an insatiable hunger for power and dominance that drives him to prioritize personal gain over the greater good.
- Greed: He relentlessly pursues wealth and influence, often at the expense of the nation’s welfare.
- Narcissism: He exhibits a self-centered rather than a people-centered approach to leadership, focused on maintaining his image and legacy rather than serving the people.
- Manipulativeness: He has a tendency to manipulate systems, people, and circumstances for personal gain, consolidating power through cronyism, patronage, godfatherism, and unholy alliances built on loyalty.
- Arrogance: He beliefs in his superiority, leading to dismissiveness toward criticism and alternative viewpoints.
- Authoritarianism: Despite his democratic rhetoric, Tinubu has demonstrated authoritarian tendencies. He has maintained control over the political landscape by rewarding loyalty over competence and suppressing dissent. This concentration of power undermines our democratic institutions and stifles genuine political opposition. He has successfully neutered both Atiku and Obi.
- Corruption: He is frequently accused of abusing his position of authority for personal gain, facing numerous allegations of financial misconduct, nepotism, embezzlement, and the misappropriation of public land and other assets.
- Self-serving: Another damaging flaw is his self-serving nature. Tinubu has often appeared more concerned with advancing his personal interests and those of his close allies than with addressing the nation’s broader needs. His close ties to business elites and the concentration of economic power among his family owned businesses, family members and associates have only widened inequality and deepened public distrust in his leadership.
- Lack of Empathy: He lacks empathy, often failing to show genuine concern for the suffering of the people, and implementing harmful policies without considering their impact. This emotional detachment has contributed to widespread suffering, with Tinubu seeming indifferent to the plight of the most vulnerable.
- Moral Compromise: Throughout his career, he has been dogged by allegations of drug dealing, bribery and corruption, patronage and several serious unethical behaviors. He demonstrates a lack of integrity and moral compromise, willingly abandoning ethical principles in pursuit of his ambitions and goals, leaving behind a legacy tainted by questionable decisions and actions.
- Inflexibility: Even when confronted with the failure of his policies, Tinubu has shown a stubborn refusal to change course. This rigidity has deepened the nation’s crises, as he prioritizes personal pride and ego over effective governance and problem-solving.
- Short-sightedness: He exhibits short-sightedness, focusing on immediate gains while neglecting the long-term consequences of his actions on the nation’s future. His policies often focus on short-term gains rather than long-term solutions, failing to address critical issues such as inflation, unemployment, starvation, poverty, excessive borrowing and spending, youth empowerment, insecurity, infrastructure decay, and economic diversification.
- Intellectual laziness: He is often accused of intellectual laziness, lacking the depth of thought and critical analysis needed for effective governance, leading to poorly conceived policies and decisions.
Together, these character flaws have not only damaged Tinubu’s legacy but also plunged Nigeria into deep and enduring crises, making it clear that his leadership has been more of a burden than a benefit to the nation.
The damage he has inflicted on the economy is irreversible, leaving his legacy permanently tarnished. The consequences of his actions will resonate for years, serving as a stark reminder of the critical need for wise and responsible leadership.
Tinubu’s story is a stark reminder that true leadership is not built on wealth, cunning, or the exploitation of power, but on humility, empathy, and a genuine commitment to the greater good.
In the end, Tinubu’s rise to power followed the classic arc of a hero turned villain—not undone by external forces, but by his own character flaws and unchecked thirst for power.
His downfall stands as a cautionary tale, reminding us that even the most promising leaders can, when consumed by ambition and self-interest, transform into the very villains they once opposed.
As we approach the decision in 2027 on who will lead the nation as president, voters must remain vigilant and discerning. The future of Nigeria depends on our ability to critically evaluate presidential candidates, ensuring we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. By scrutinizing them against the 13 character flaws that doomed Tinubu, we can protect our nation’s integrity and secure a better future for all Nigerians.
