ABUJA — Political firebrand and elder statesman, Alhaji Buba Galadima, has issued a scathing critique of the President Bola Tinubu administration, expressing deep regret for his role in opposing the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a candid reflection on Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges, Galadima—once a fierce ally of the APC before falling out with the party leadership—admitted that the passage of time has changed his perspective on past administrations.
The ‘Humbling’ of a Critic
“I was one of the greatest critics of President Jonathan back in 2014,” Galadima stated. “I did not know that God would humble me and show that Jonathan was, in fact, almost a saint and a better administrator compared to Tinubu.”
His remarks highlight a growing trend of “buyer’s remorse” among political actors who helped bring the current ruling party to power in 2015. Galadima argued that under the current dispensation, the indices of governance—specifically the cost of living and the protection of lives—have deteriorated to levels previously thought impossible.
Governance and Insecurity
Galadima’s comments come amid a backdrop of rising insecurity in the North and the recent NCDC reports of Lassa Fever deaths across eight states. He suggested that the administrative “clumsiness” of the present government has made the Jonathan era appear more efficient and stable by comparison.
Political Realignment
As a key figure in the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement, Galadima’s public disavowal of the President’s performance aligns with the recent moves by Rabiu Kwankwaso to join the ADC coalition.
The Presidency has yet to issue a formal response to Galadima’s specific “saint” comparison, though officials have consistently maintained that the “Renewed Hope” reforms are necessary “bitter pills” required to fix long-standing structural issues inherited from previous governments—including Jonathan’s.
