“Tinubu has changed” – Former ally criticizes President’s lack of progressiveness

Usman Bugaje, a former National Secretary of the now-defunct Action Congress (AC), has expressed disappointment in President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of abandoning the progressive ideals that once defined his political career.

In an interview with Vanguard published on Sunday, Bugaje lamented that Tinubu, once celebrated for his dynamism and innovative leadership, now appears to lack direction and has strayed from his progressive roots.

Bugaje noted that Tinubu, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later the All Progressives Congress (APC), is showing troubling signs of adopting a “monarchical” style of governance.

When asked if his opinion is that Tinubu is a man of ideas and surrounded by very incompetent people, the ex-AC official said, “Well, if this is a session to assess the presidency of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I think we will need more time to do that. But for all I know, and for all that many Nigerians remember, President Tinubu is associated with the suffering they have faced since he assumed office. Yes, I used to know him to be a man of ideas because we used to engage.

“If you remember, I was the National Secretary of the Action Congress, AC, which later became Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. When I was serving in that capacity, I had occasions to interact very closely and consistently with him. But, I have found out that all that have evaporated; I don’t see those ideas anymore.

“I don’t see the dynamism, I don’t also see the progressiveness. What I see is somebody who is almost turning into a monarch.”