Former Labour Party chieftain and actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, has rubbished President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent media chat, describing it as a reflection of an administration that has been failing Nigerians since its inauguration 19 months ago.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Okonkwo expressed his discontent, stating that Tinubu’s government has devalued human lives to the equivalent of ₦5,000. He made this remark in reference to the recent stampedes in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja that claimed over 67 lives during the distribution of relief materials.
“We must stop giving kudos to failure. For nineteen months, you haven’t been able to tell Nigerians what you’ve been doing. From day one, this administration has been doing the wrong things,” Okonkwo remarked.
Okonkwo pointed out that democracy is not just about speaking to the people but also about engaging them meaningfully. He referenced the Nigerian Constitution, which emphasizes the participation of the people in governance.
Critiquing Tinubu’s media chat, Okonkwo categorized the president’s address into four areas—stampedes, cost of governance, the tax reform bill, and corruption. He accused Tinubu of engaging in blame games rather than addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s challenges.
“On the stampedes, the president shifted all the blame to the organizers—individuals who were only trying to help those in desperate need. These people didn’t die because of poverty; they died because this administration has reduced them to beggars fighting for survival,” Okonkwo stated.
He further added, “Those lives lost were worth only ₦5,000 and some grains of rice. Nigerians are now hungrier and poorer than when this administration came into power.”
Okonkwo urged the government to adopt proactive measures, warning that current signs point to a failing state under Tinubu’s leadership. He emphasized that addressing poverty and inequality should be at the forefront of government priorities, rather than shifting blame or making excuses.
The outspoken critic called on Nigerians to demand better accountability and governance, stressing that the nation’s future hinges on its leaders’ ability to prioritize the welfare of the people.
