From Campaigns To Reality: Are Nigerians Facing An Elusive Eldorado?, by Isaac Asabor

In the months leading up to the last presidential election, Nigerians witnessed a surge of campaign promises that offered visions of a transformed nation, a land of prosperity, stability, and opportunity. Then-candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his supporters traversed the breadth and width of the country, proclaiming their vision of Nigeria as an “Eldorado,” a prosperous land where economic woes would be a thing of the past, and where every Nigerian would have access to a better life. These grand promises struck a chord with millions who yearned for relief from the years of hardship under previous administrations. But as time passes, many are left asking, “Is this the Nigeria they promised?”

During the campaign period, Tinubu’s team was relentless in its messaging, painting a picture of a thriving Nigeria where opportunities would be plentiful and security assured. These promises were persuasive; they were aimed at people disillusioned by the socioeconomic challenges that had deepened under the previous government. But almost a year into his presidency, the promised transformation remains elusive, and Nigerians are becoming increasingly vocal in their dissatisfaction.

A critical point of contention is that, each time citizens raise concerns, they are met with excuses. Often, Tinubu’s administration places blame on the past administration led by Muhammadu Buhari, claiming that much of Nigeria’s current economic turmoil is a legacy of the former president’s policies. The Nigerian public, however, is growing tired of the constant buck-passing. This administration campaigned on change and transformation; should not they have had a clear plan to address the known issues rather than now shifting responsibility to Buhari’s government?

When a government is campaigning, it is expected that they fully understand the state of affairs in the nation. By the time President Tinubu assumed office, Nigeria’s economic and security challenges were no secret. The administration would have had access to detailed assessments of the nation’s debt, inflation rates, and insecurity issues, among other pressing matters. Nigerians are now questioning whether Tinubu and his advisors were truly informed or if the lofty promises were simply crafted to secure votes.

“Where is the Eldorado that was promised?” Was the campaign rhetoric grounded in a concrete, achievable plan, or was it merely a strategy to win the hearts and minds of an electorate eager for hope?

From fuel subsidies to security, several promises made by Tinubu’s team are yet to materialize in meaningful ways. During the campaign, Tinubu committed to phasing out the fuel subsidy, a move he argued would free up resources for critical sectors like healthcare, infrastructure, and education. However, the way the subsidy was removed, suddenly and without adequate palliatives for citizens, has only exacerbated the hardship for ordinary Nigerians. Fuel prices soared, affecting transport costs, food prices, and overall inflation, leaving millions struggling to make ends meet.

Additionally, the promises of improved security and economic growth remain far from realization. Insecurity continues to plague various regions, and despite pledges to create jobs, unemployment remains high, with little sign of the thriving job market Nigerians were promised. For the millions who believed in the vision of a better Nigeria, these unmet expectations have fueled disappointment and frustration.

Each time criticism mounts, the response from Tinubu’s administration seems to center on the challenges inherited from Buhari’s administration. While it is true that the previous administration left behind a complex set of issues, Tinubu’s campaign did not shy away from those realities. Instead, it promised to address them head-on. This constant buck-passing has begun to sound more like an excuse than a valid explanation.

One could argue that part of the duty of governance is to tackle inherited problems with pragmatic solutions, not to continually point fingers. Nigerians voted for Tinubu because they believed he had the competence and resolve to steer the nation out of crisis, not to witness another cycle of blame and delay. If the Tinubu administration was aware of the depth of these issues, then the question becomes, why didn’t they prepare adequately to address them?

The mood of the nation has shifted from hope to a growing sense of betrayal. Many feel that they were sold a dream of paradise only to wake up to the same struggles they faced before. And with every complaint being deflected onto the previous government, Nigerians are beginning to wonder if the administration truly has a vision for change.

As for promises made, but not kept, it is germane to recall in this context that Tinubu’s team pledged rapid improvements in infrastructure, economic reforms, and social programs that would uplift the lives of ordinary citizens. These promises created high expectations, yet so far, the reality has been marked by economic hardship, with inflation and unemployment on the rise.

In response to public outcry, the administration has rolled out several palliative measures, such as cash transfers and food distributions. However, many Nigerians argue that these efforts are short-term fixes rather than sustainable solutions. Without a comprehensive approach to tackling inflation and creating jobs, these palliatives seem to be little more than Band-Aids on a deep, systemic wound.

Beyond economic policies, Nigerians are also frustrated by a perceived lack of transparency in the government’s handling of public funds and resources. For instance, questions have been raised about how certain decisions are made, and whether they truly reflect the best interests of the populace. Transparency and accountability are critical to restoring trust, yet they seem to be in short supply in the current administration.

The Tinubu administration rode into office on the back of grand promises, pledging to usher in a new era for Nigeria. But as the months go by, the chasm between promise and performance grows wider, and Nigerians are left wondering whether they were misled. The repeated references to Buhari’s tenure as a scapegoat have only served to increase public skepticism. Many now believe that, if the administration lacks the ability or will to fulfill its promises, it should at the very least acknowledge its own shortcomings instead of shifting blame.

This cycle of broken promises and blame-shifting is taking a toll on public morale. Nigerian citizens, particularly the youth, who have already endured years of economic and political instability, are growing weary of waiting for the promised “Eldorado.” For many, the question is no longer about what Tinubu’s administration inherited but about what it intends to do to change the trajectory of the nation.

Nigerians are not asking for miracles, but they do expect their leaders to take responsibility. Each time the government responds to criticism with another round of blame, it chips away at the already fragile trust between the people and those in power. What Nigerians desire is a transparent and actionable plan that moves beyond campaign slogans and acknowledges the realities on the ground.

As President Tinubu’s administration moves forward, it must confront the hard truth: the time for excuses has passed. Nigerians want real answers and real progress. They want to know whether there is indeed a plan to build the Nigeria they were promised or if this vision of Eldorado was merely an illusion crafted to win an election.

In fact, while every administration faces its own set of challenges, true leadership is demonstrated by a willingness to take responsibility, adapt to unforeseen difficulties, and deliver on promises. Nigerians deserve no less, and as they continue to raise their voices, they are making it clear: this is not the Nigeria they were promised, and they will not stop demanding answers until they see the change they voted for.