Founder of Naija Lives Matter (NLM), Dr. Ope Banwo, has called on Nigerians to subject opposition politicians to the same level of public scrutiny as the administration of President Bola Tinubu, warning that replacing one government without carefully examining the alternative could leave the country in an even more difficult position.
Banwo, a social critic and advocate, said while it was appropriate to hold the Tinubu administration accountable for its campaign promises and performance in office, the same standard must be applied to politicians seeking to take over power in 2027.
According to him, democracy flourishes when citizens demand accountability from both those in government and those asking to govern.
“For the past several weeks, I have spent my time dragging the Tinubu administration. I make no apologies for that because they are the ones in government. They asked Nigerians for the mandate, so they must be held accountable for their promises, their policies and their performance,” he said.
The NLM founder disclosed that he would soon begin releasing what he described as the “Jagaban Scorecard Series,” an objective assessment of the Tinubu administration’s achievements, shortcomings and missed opportunities since assuming office.
However, he argued that public accountability should not end with evaluating the ruling government.
“There is another responsibility Nigerians must not neglect. We must scrutinise those who want to replace Tinubu just as rigorously as we scrutinise Tinubu himself. We must not become so frustrated with today’s government that we stop asking hard questions of tomorrow’s government,” Banwo stated.
He warned against allowing dissatisfaction with the current administration to cloud voters’ judgment, saying Nigerians should resist the temptation to support any candidate simply because they are in opposition.
According to Banwo, the country’s democratic experience has shown that placing blind trust in political personalities without demanding detailed policy commitments often leads to disappointment.
He said the electorate must insist on practical solutions and measurable plans rather than campaign slogans or emotional appeals.
“Democracy is a competition of ideas,” he said. “You don’t ask over 200 million Nigerians to vote for you first and then promise to explain your strategy after you are sworn in as president. Nigerians deserve to know exactly what every candidate intends to do before they cast their votes.”
Banwo also criticised what he described as a growing culture of branding every critic of opposition politicians as a supporter of the ruling party.
He maintained that asking difficult questions should not be interpreted as political hostility but as an essential part of democratic engagement.
“Not everybody holding your preferred candidate accountable is supporting the government,” he said. “Nobody gets a free pass simply because they are in opposition. Every serious presidential contender must convince Nigerians that they have better ideas and a better plan for governing the country.”
Banwo urged Nigerians to reject personality-driven politics and instead focus on evaluating competing ideas ahead of the next general election.
He argued that the country’s future should not be determined by social media popularity or public frustration with the incumbent government but by the quality of policies presented by those seeking office.
“A mature democracy demands accountability from those in power and rigorous scrutiny of those seeking power,” he said. “Nigeria deserves more than personality cults and political slogans. It deserves competing ideas, informed debate and leaders who are prepared to explain, in clear terms, how they intend to solve the nation’s problems.”
He added that only through balanced scrutiny of both the government and the opposition can Nigerians make informed decisions capable of producing the leadership the country deserves in 2027.
