Dear Nigerians,
Let me ask you something. After everything Nigeria has experienced, everything its citizens have complained about and everything ordinary people have had to endure, are you genuinely considering giving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu another four years?
Because 2027 is approaching, and Nigerians will once again have the responsibility of deciding who gets to lead their country. On 16 January 2027, voters will head to the polls for the presidential and National Assembly elections, with governorship and State Assembly elections following on 6 February. And this time, the decision deserves more than political excitement, party loyalty and the usual arguments about whose turn it is to occupy the presidential seat.
There are 19 presidential candidates on INEC's updated list, including Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Peter Obi of the NDC, Omoyele Sowore of the AAC and Sandy Ojang Onor of the PDP, among others. In other words, Nigerians have choices to consider. But what concerns me is not simply who is contesting. It is how some people are deciding who deserves their vote in the first place.
I've been watching street interviews circulating on social media, where Nigerians are asked who they intend to vote for and why. And some of the answers genuinely leave me wondering whether we are choosing someone to govern a country or selecting a family representative for a traditional wedding. "Bola Tinubu. He's Yoruba, just like me." "He's my brother. I have to support him."
Really? That's the qualification? Not his leadership, not his policies, not his performance or what he has achieved for the country. Just the fact that you share the same tribe?
Nigeria, are we serious?
Yes, representation matters. But surely, being from the same ethnic group cannot be the only qualification you need when deciding who should govern millions of people. Your tribesman can still make poor decisions. Your brother can still disappoint you. And somebody from a different ethnic group might actually have better ideas for the country. A president is elected to serve an entire nation. Your shared ethnicity with a politician will not automatically pay your electricity bill, put food on your table, create employment for your children or protect your family from kidnappers. And this is one of the things I find particularly dangerous about African politics. We sometimes become so invested in seeing someone from our own ethnic group succeed politically that we forget to ask whether the country itself is succeeding.
You celebrate their victory, defend them online, wear their faces on your shirts and argue with anybody who questions them. But when ordinary citizens start complaining about the economy, unemployment and insecurity, suddenly everybody has something to say. What exactly are you celebrating if your own life and the lives of people around you are not improving?
Let's talk about the economy.
People are struggling with food prices, petrol, rent, transport, electricity and the everyday expenses of running a household. People are working but still struggling to make ends meet. Young people are searching for employment, businesses are dealing with difficult operating conditions and families are constantly having to reconsider what they can afford. And whenever these concerns are raised, there is always someone ready to defend the government.
"Tinubu is doing a lot of good things behind the scenes."
Behind what scenes?
At this point, I would genuinely like to know when ordinary Nigerians are getting an invitation to watch this wonderful production. Because if all these impressive things are happening underground, when exactly are citizens going to experience the results above ground? There is a saying that you reap what you sow. If good things are being planted, surely people should eventually see a harvest. You cannot keep telling hungry people that an excellent harvest is coming while they are standing in front of an empty cupboard. A president is not a content creator whose responsibility is to keep posting photographs, travelling internationally and releasing updates to convince people that everything is wonderful. Governing a country is not a social-media campaign. Citizens need more than speeches, promises and carefully arranged photographs.
They need results.
And while we are discussing people influencing political decisions, let's talk about celebrities and public figures.
I sometimes wonder whether some of the enthusiastic political endorsements we see are genuinely about believing in a candidate or whether there are financial and political benefits attached to that support. I am not accusing particular celebrities of receiving money or favours. I have no evidence to make such allegations. But I do think public figures should remember that their audiences are not all living the same lives. A celebrity might have access to private healthcare, comfortable accommodation, security and financial opportunities that ordinary citizens can only dream about. The people watching them might be struggling to afford groceries. So, before you use your platform to encourage millions of people to support a politician, perhaps consider the circumstances of the people who will have to live with the consequences.
Now, let's talk about healthcare, because this is where the conversation becomes particularly uncomfortable.
What do you mean someone is experiencing a medical emergency, is rushed to a hospital and is expected to produce money before receiving assistance? What do you mean somebody's life is at risk, but the first conversation is about a deposit?
This should not be normalised.
Nigeria's National Health Act of 2014 provides that emergency medical treatment must not be refused for any reason. Yet reports of patients being asked for deposits before receiving emergency treatment continue to raise serious concerns.
I recently came across the heartbreaking story of gospel singer Toluwanisings, whose real name was Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji. According to his personal assistant, after the singer suddenly slumped, efforts to get him medical attention took them to between seven and eight hospitals in Ibadan. Some reportedly cited doctors being unavailable or on strike, while others did not admit him. He died on 14 October 2026, leaving behind his wife and two children.
Think about that. Seven to eight hospitals.
A family is desperately trying to save someone's life, moving from one medical facility to another, looking for somewhere that can provide the necessary assistance. The full circumstances surrounding his death have not been independently established, but the account raises serious questions about emergency healthcare, hospital preparedness and the availability of medical professionals. To be fair, many medical professionals are also working under extremely difficult conditions. They need adequate facilities, equipment, supplies and support. But how many families must experience such desperation before healthcare becomes a genuine priority. People should not have to depend on luck when their lives are at stake.
And this brings me to another institution that should be protecting Nigerians: the police.
There are accounts of people going to report crimes and being asked to provide money for petrol before officers can respond. Imagine escaping a dangerous situation, making your way to a police station because you need protection, only to be told that you must contribute towards fuel before somebody can assist you.
I remember hearing about a woman who narrowly escaped sexual assault, went to report the incident and was allegedly asked for petrol money. In January 2026, Premium Times also reported allegations that police officers demanded ₦100,000 from the family of a 15-year-old rape victim before taking her statement. The officers were subsequently summoned for questioning following the complaint.
Imagine being a family member trying to get justice for a child who has experienced sexual violence, only to face an alleged financial demand at the police station. Where is the protection? Where is the compassion? And what about the kidnappings? Families are left desperately trying to raise millions in ransom money, negotiating with criminals and praying that their loved ones return home alive. Some families lose everything trying to secure the release of someone they love. These are not small inconveniences. These are people's lives.
There are also serious concerns about attacks affecting Christian communities. People should be able to practise their faith, attend their places of worship and go about their daily lives without fearing for their safety. I find it heartbreaking when the suffering of one community becomes a political argument rather than a reason for collective concern.
And while we are talking about accountability, what about freedom of expression?
There have been cases involving citizens facing arrest or criminal proceedings over social-media posts and criticism. The EFCC, for example, brought defamation-related charges against two university students over social-media posts before later withdrawing them. Of course, genuine crimes should be investigated. But citizens must be able to question public officials and institutions. Criticism should not automatically become something to fear. If people are increasingly worried about speaking openly about the conditions in their country, while those responsible for protecting them are not delivering the necessary results, then we have a serious problem.
And then we have the famous campaign hampers! Bags of rice, groceries and food packages suddenly appearing everywhere, with cameras ready to capture every generous moment.
Let's be honest, many of these people know that a politician handing them groceries is not securing their future. They know that bag of rice won't change their circumstances. But when you're hungry, what are you going to do? You take the groceries because you need to eat. Some may even be willing to exchange their vote for a few days of food. And that's the sad part: a vote that should help shape the next four years is being traded for groceries that might not last four days.
Imagine if that same effort went into helping people become financially independent, so they could afford their own groceries without waiting for election season to arrive.
And speaking of political gifts, let's talk about the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and the announcement of vehicles for APC women leaders in five opposition-governed states: Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Osun and Oyo.
Cars? Wonderful.
But have we considered the roads those cars will be driving on? What about the infrastructure? What about communities that need better roads, functioning public services and basic facilities? Nigerians need more than political gestures and photographs. They need improvements that affect their everyday lives. A beautiful vehicle is lovely, but it would be even better to have roads that allow people to drive without constantly worrying about the condition of the infrastructure.
And what about education, electricity, clean water and employment? These are not extravagant demands. They are basic requirements of a functioning society. Imagine a Nigeria where young people can finish their education and find meaningful employment. Where businesses can grow without constantly battling unreliable electricity and difficult operating conditions. Where public hospitals are properly equipped, schools are maintained and communities are safe. Imagine Nigerians living abroad genuinely wanting to return because there are opportunities waiting for them. Imagine people from other parts of the world looking at Nigeria and saying, "There are opportunities here. I want to establish a business, invest and build something."
That is the kind of Nigeria I would definitely love to see.
I would genuinely love to visit Nigeria. I see its culture, creativity, talented people, resources and enormous potential. I don't look at Nigeria and see a country without possibilities. I see a country that could be doing so much more. And that is precisely why I find some of these political conversations frustrating.
Why should a country with so much potential have so many people desperate to leave? Why should families constantly worry about their safety, healthcare and ability to afford basic necessities? Yes, every other African nations have their own problems. But that does not mean citizens should lower their expectations. A government should be judged by what it delivers, not simply by what it promises.
And I would love to see Nigerian leaders held to the same standards as the ordinary citizens they govern. Are the public schools good enough for the children of those making decisions about education? Are the public hospitals good enough for the families of those making decisions about healthcare? Would those closest to power willingly depend on the same public services ordinary Nigerians are expected to use?
These are perfectly reasonable questions.
You cannot expect citizens to be satisfied with public hospitals while those making decisions about healthcare have access to private medical facilities. You cannot tell young people to believe in the education system while public schools continue to struggle. Public services should be good enough for everybody.
As the 2027 elections approach, I hope Nigerians will look beyond party colours, ethnic identities, campaign posters and celebrity endorsements.
Ask yourself whether your family is better off with Bola Tinubu, whether your community is safer and moving in a direction that gives you hope.
Do not vote for President Tinubu simply because is from your tribe. Do not vote because the party or any other parties distributed groceries at a rally or promised your community a few vehicles. You are not choosing a brother to represent your family at a gathering.
I am expressing these concerns as one African to another. I want to see Nigeria succeed. I want to see its people prosper. I want to see a country where people can afford to live, where children have opportunities, where hospitals save lives and where citizens feel protected.
Nigeria deserves more than another round of promises.
And to every Nigerian preparing to vote, I have one final thing to say:
VOTE WISELY!
With concern, from one African to another.
— Lilo Phedra
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