𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝘼𝙋𝘾 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 – 𝙍𝙖𝙪𝙛 𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙖. 𝘽𝙮 𝙊𝙡𝙪𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣 𝘽𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚.

Millions of Nigerians wake up every day facing soaring food prices, rising insecurity, and dwindling opportunities. These are not abstract statistics; they are the lived realities of families struggling to survive. It is against this backdrop that former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made a bold statement in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Kwara State Secretariat: Nigerians are suffering because of the leadership failures of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aregbesola’s remarks should not be dismissed as mere political posturing. They reflect the frustration and despair felt by ordinary citizens who watch promises collapse while their daily struggles intensify. From mothers unable to afford basic necessities, to youths facing unemployment and insecurity, the consequences of governance failures are tangible and urgent. Watch the video here 👇

Some critics claim Aregbesola’s comments are opportunistic, pointing to his former alignment with the APC. Yet, true humanism demands that political loyalty never outweighs responsibility to the people. Speaking out against failures, even of one’s former allies, is a moral obligation when the livelihoods of millions are at stake.

Leadership cannot thrive on appearances or party image. It is measured in the lives it touches, the hope it restores, and the suffering it alleviates. Ignoring the cries of citizens prolongs hardship and erodes trust in public institutions. Aregbesola’s critique is a mirror not for politics alone, but for our collective conscience.

The message is clear: leadership matters because people matter. Nigerians deserve policies that reduce hunger, ensure safety, and provide opportunity. Criticism, even when uncomfortable, is not an attack on a party; it is a plea for humanity in governance.

If our leaders fail to listen, the cost is borne by the people. And as Aregbesola reminds us, that cost is far too high for any society to ignore

Oluwatosin Babatunde is a Nigerian journalist, public commentator and advocate of good governance. He writes on politics, democracy and public accountability and can be reached at babatosin247@gmail.com.