Tinubu’s Narrow Mandate Calls for Unity and Engagement, Says Professor Udenta

Professor Udenta O. Udenta, a prominent political figure and Founding Former National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy, raised concerns about the legitimacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate. Udenta highlighted that President Tinubu secured only 26.7% of the vote in the 2023 Presidential election, a result that he argues does not represent a strong or convincing mandate, especially given the low voter turnout.

With Nigeria’s population estimated at 230 million, over 93 million citizens were registered to vote, yet only a small fraction of this number participated in the election. According to Udenta, this low level of participation weakens the president’s claim to a robust mandate from the people.

Udenta emphasized the need for President Tinubu to engage more actively with political leaders, including those he defeated in the election, to build a broader consensus. He believes that success in implementing policies will depend heavily on effective communication and interaction with the political elite. Udenta expressed concern that the current level of dialogue and engagement is insufficient, which could undermine the president’s ability to fulfill his promises and earn the public’s trust.

“The council of state is an important advisory body that the President will have to brief, and they will give advice. However, it is not their duty to pass a vote of confidence on the President. It is the people who will pass a vote of confidence on him if they see their lives being transformed by his policies,” Udenta stated. He further stressed that without increased dialogue and cooperation with other political leaders, the president’s policies may not achieve the desired impact.

As President Tinubu continues to navigate his leadership, the call for unity and broader engagement becomes ever more critical. Udenta’s insights serve as a reminder that in a democracy, effective governance is not just about winning elections but also about building lasting connections and trust with the people and political stakeholders.