₦airaland Forum

@cyberknight

Great quote! And that’s what US voters are realising with Trump’s falling ratings and increasing unpopularity. After the overly aggressive immigration policies, what else can they offer? Where’s the real substance? Tariffs? Cancelling DEI? Lol

Western liberals need to wake up and smell the coffee. They are fighting a losing issue. Starmer needs to smarten up; ECHR or not, no one is buying it. Just stop the flow. Desperate times call for desperate measures. And he has exercised extreme measures in the past. Last year during the riots, to his credit, the far right thugs got convicted in a matter of days. Did courts not open over the weekend to expeditiously hear cases? Where there is a will there is a way!

Even if not for the average UK citizen or legal resident who are facing an affordability crisis, NHS waiting lists, and rising unemployment, then do it for self-preservation. The far right is on the march and will take over power in next general election. Why not blunt that attack by addressing the majority of voters’ concerns about the boats, and then fight the remaining battles on growing the economy, foreign policy, and other issues, instead of letting the far-right dominate with their one trick pony of immigration? (Granted reversing the tide of legal immigration is still another hot button issue, but that is separate from the boats and far less popular than stopping the boats).

There is nothing immoral or wrong in saying the country can no longer take in new people crossing the Channel. It is not possible to take care of every starving person in the world. People in Nigeria are suffering with all the APC shenanigans (hyperinflation, kidnappings & killings, brazen corruption etc.) but unfortunately not everyone can japa to UK or be helped in one way or another. The same logic should be applied here. Focus on the citizens and legal residents who are struggling with rising costs instead of housing new arrivals in hotels. The ECHR cannot force a government to house people if there is no money.

Wake up, Labour Party. You’re our only hope because I cannot vote Conservative or Reform.

Goke7:
Nobody will stop any boats it’s the legal migrants that will continue to bear the brunt, know this and know peace. Once there is more pressure expect salary thresholds to go up again or more occupations struck off the skilled workers list; that’s all KS has to offer

Then he should be ready to lose power to Nigel in 2029 (or Rayner n co even before the general election). Sometimes I don’t know how dumb politicians can be. Voters are literally telling you their issues and you’re forming you know better/refusing to give them what they want, when Trump has shown you the example and you’re losing support left, right and centre. They should go ahead and commit political suicide then, no one’s holding them.

Cyberknight:
….

All in all Labour has few easy choices to make (I foresee the axe descending on immigrants (or rather non-British time-limited residents) again), but they'd better do something otherwise they'll be knocking on the IMF's door sooner rather than later.

Great analysis as per usual 👍🏾
One choice they can make and it’s relatively easy imho is actually STOP THE BOATS and deport those in hotels/stop funding them! Just borrow some of Trump’s harsh methods and the illegal migrants will get the point and stop coming altogether. Once KS manages that, he’ll steal the thunder from Reform/Online Right and legal migrants will support this as well. It’s a no brainer for me.

Goodenoch:
See! I was thinking about it on a drive today and trying to see if maybe my memory had somehow become warped. I won't pretend I enjoyed the grass cutting at the time but for heaven's sake, equating it to prison work is just off the rails. At the time, if you had a health issue or whatever, you'd be exempted. Not saying Nigerian schools were or are perfect but isn't it that same school she was able to leave at 16 and resume her education in the UK and then begin to do well? If it was completely usesless would she have been able to use that education as the foundation for her career as she did?

….

*Because Badenites have told us here that every immigration route that was subsequently removed was a loophole.

My brother, the fact that you or any other Nigerian for that matter, are getting worked up over Kemi’s comments boggles my mind. She’s a lost cause…Otilor! In my book, she’s just like Donald Trump: she can say anything, and I won’t be disappointed because I expect absolutely any garbage from her.

My only gripe with Conservatives is why they haven’t gotten rid of her yet (she should have gone after the local elections in May), so we can all, Kemi included, be put out of our misery.

She’s a mediocre, third-rate politician imho. How she won the Conservative Party leadership still beats me (I guess it shows how weak the party, or the field, was, or still is). But this is it for her. The journey ends here. It’s time for her to be consigned to the dustbin of history, along with her irrelevant opinions.

Good riddance in advance.

Efftyy:
My cousin used a service at heathrow, they company will collect your car and bring it once you arrive . He paid 70quids for 10days

Thanks — all the quotes I’m seeing now are showing £200+, then if I add petrol, close to taxi cost. This country is sha expensive!

Lexusgs430:
Francis Rd & Basildene Rd...... Look for a parking space that does not inconvenience residents......... 😁😂

Thanks for providing the roads. I’ve just looked on Google maps and there’s no way I’m leaving my car on that busy road for extended period of time.

Knowing my luck, it’s the one time I park there that the car will be clamped 😂

Lexusgs430:
I NEVER pay for parking at LHR or LGW...... I simply park on residential streets not far from the airport and get a one stop train, bus ride or uber, into the airport...... 😂😉😁

Street parking for 2weeks+ ?

Bourne007:
I use either these sites. Not sure which terminal you flying from but best price I saw for 2 weeks is ~£150.

https://www.aph.com/ or

https://www.purpleparking.com/?agent=BH430&awc=12028_1750793228_e0352c89c3beb6a10e5732eb9d50871f&sn=1

Cheers man. I saw £200 for my exact dates. Terminal 4 Meet & Greet.

You’re life saver!

Hi Elders,

I feel like I’m missing a trick here and would appreciate if someone could confirm whether or not there’s a better way.

I’m flying out from Heathrow with the family (2 adults, 1 infant). I live approx 2-hour drive from Heathrow airport. Why are all the airport transfer options costing me £300+ (return journey)?

A) Pre-booked private taxi hire – £330
B) Enterprise self-drive car hire – £320
C) Drive my own car and park at Heathrow Airport for 2 weeks – £500 to £600

I don’t know anyone who lives in or around Heathrow/London axis where I could park my car on their drive or in a bay.

Train + taxi is roughly the same cost and travel time, plus the added inconvenience of changing over in central London to reach Heathrow Airport.

Any suggestions or make I close eye park the 300 quid? (E go pain me sha 🥲)

Thank you

[quote author=willyede post=136175590]If my status falls through, grinding illegally or moving to Ireland/Canada beats Lagos any day. At least here I know how the system can work.



Go and ask asylum seekers in both countries — they’ll beg to differ. We can focus on our UK journey and keep one eye on contingency plans, that’s all I’m saying. Besides, the overt racism right now, is not making the place as appealing as it once was for me.

willyede:
You keep insisting that “we will fix the nation.” I have no expectation that Nigeria will be transformed within my lifetime and am not interested in pursuing that goal. If rebuilding the country is your priority, please do so on the ground in Nigeria.

This thread is for immigrants living in the United Kingdom, not for political debates. My focus here is on handling the challenges we face abroad, not on discussing national reform.

If you wish to campaign for Nigeria’s renewal, the political section of Nairaland is the proper venue. Remember that two Nigerian presidents: Abubakar and Buhari both treated in the United Kingdom and died had years to effect change and did not. Kindly spare us the rhetoric here.

I take your point, bros. To be honest, that’s always been my view until recently. I mean, I’ve japa’d twice, FGS, so it’s clear something is chasing us from Naija.

That said, I’ve been very worried about the rightward shift in the West—UK, USA etc. (thank God Canada was spared).
In our case, specifically the UK. The right is getting more emboldened and clearly influencing the government of the day, even before being voted into power.

My pragmatic, realistic mind—which tends to see the world as it is, not how I wish it to be—can clearly see the pathway to citizenship getting tougher. Obviously the 5- to 10-year extensions but add to that the current economic trends and the impact of AI, and all we can do is hope we keep our jobs and avoid mass layoffs.

So where does that leave the average immigrant who hasn’t yet secured citizenship? At risk of falling out of status. And if the worst happens, they may have to self-deport just to avoid living as an undocumented immigrant. If that happens, what are the options? Move to yet another hostile foreign country—or return home to Naija? I know which one I’d choose.

So, while it would be nice to forget Naija and its issues, for some, it may end up being the only contingency plan—thanks to right-wingers taking over nearly every country a Nigerian migrant might want to japa to.

It is well.

Lexusgs430:
Did the husband ever lodge any official complaints to the police, prior to his arrest?

Xyz

Cyberknight:
Depends on who's doing the vilification.
Reform rightly point out that the Tories had 14 years in government and didn't adopt the policies they are pushing now and wonder why the Tories have suddenly realised what they should've done.

The Red Tories are trying to do something about welfare reform, but their left wingers refused. Instructively the real Tories refused to help the Red Tories pass the last welfare bill in its original form by committing to vote for it so that Starmer could have something to whip his backbenchers into line with and at least effect the cuts he wanted, so effectively for them its still politics as usual - no one really cares about the country.

Not one to hold a brief for KB, but I find the whole “you didn’t do anything when you had the chance” spiel tiresome. We can all agree that KB is definitely not RS, LT, BJ, TM, or DC. She’ll lead her party in the direction she sees fit—just like when there’s a change of leadership in an office, from lower levels to CEO. The new person typically likes to put their stamp on things, or sometimes even do a complete 180 on certain topics.

So, sorry—as much as I despise KB, she can’t be held accountable for 14 years of Tory failure, even if she was an MP and Cabinet Minister toward the end. (She’s not going to challenge the PM, is she?)

What I don’t understand is how she’s still leader of the opposition. Seems RJ & his co-plotters are biding their time we’ll, will probably make a move closer to the general election or even next year after Welsh & Scottish elections? Who knows!

Morning all,

Anyone got hacks for booking the practical driving test?

For two weeks straight now, I’ve been logging in just before 6am and there are over 8000 people ahead of me in the queue. I usually wait about 20 minutes, and by 6:30am, there are no test dates showing in any test centre I type in.

I’m honestly at my wits’ end. Any tips, please? Thanks ahead

Goke7:
[/b]Mad people everywhere 😂 even Oga Elon wan form republican lite

It’s a global phenomenon.
Nobody wan gree for anybody. Everybody dey stand their ground. At the end of the day, all man go turn independent.

[b]UK:
Conservative/Reform—Rupert Lowe, Ben Habib and their breakout movements.
Labour—new Jeremy Corbyn party. Zultana, Diane Abbott and all the rebels

US of A:
Republican Party/MAGA—Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens and co.
Democratic Party—New Democratic Socialists: Bernie, AOC, Mamdani, and others.

Nigeria:
Opposition—PDP, LP, ADC, Sowore, and over 120 new parties applying to register for 2027.

This is the death of the party system IMO. The internet has made it easier to organise, and new movements are rising now more than ever before. Besides, people are realising that you’re actually voting for the person, not the platform.

For example, Donald Trump is not your traditional Republican. Same goes for Keir Starmer—Diane Abbott n co have questioned whether he even holds “Labour values.”

People are more invested in personalities now. Just my 2 cents.

It’s no longer news that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai launched a blistering attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In a recent ARISE TV interview, El-Rufai criticised the government’s performance, described the cabinet as incompetent, and ominously declared that Tinubu was “gone.”
Sour Grapes or Genuine Concern?
A major theme in the reactions to El-Rufai’s comments has been the accusation of bitterness. APC spokespersons have dismissed him as a rabble-rouser, labeling him aggrieved due to his failure to secure a plum job in Tinubu’s administration. Many believe his criticism stems from being denied a ministerial appointment—ostensibly due to a damaging security report from the DSS during his Senate screening.
Hence, the lingering question: Would El-Rufai have gone public with these attacks if he had been cleared as Minister of Power, as originally planned?
The answer is probably no.
But the real debate is this:
Is El-Rufai’s criticism valid, or is it merely the rant of a jilted political lover?
People often speak openly about former colleagues or personal relationships, sometimes sharing uncomfortable or inconvenient truths. El-Rufai hasn’t done anything unusual in that regard. What he has done is become a vocal critic—two years after the 2023 elections.


More…
https://open.substack.com/pub/hugojames/p/el-rufai-valid-criticism-or-sour?r=5s2qyc&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=post-publish

It’s no longer news that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai launched a blistering attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In a recent ARISE TV interview, El-Rufai criticised the government’s performance, described the cabinet as incompetent, and ominously declared that Tinubu was “gone.”
Sour Grapes or Genuine Concern?
A major theme in the reactions to El-Rufai’s comments has been the accusation of bitterness. APC spokespersons have dismissed him as a rabble-rouser, labeling him aggrieved due to his failure to secure a plum job in Tinubu’s administration. Many believe his criticism stems from being denied a ministerial appointment—ostensibly due to a damaging security report from the DSS during his Senate screening.
Hence, the lingering question: Would El-Rufai have gone public with these attacks if he had been cleared as Minister of Power, as originally planned?
The answer is probably no.
But the real debate is this:
Is El-Rufai’s criticism valid, or is it merely the rant of a jilted political lover?
People often speak openly about former colleagues or personal relationships, sometimes sharing uncomfortable or inconvenient truths. El-Rufai hasn’t done anything unusual in that regard. What he has done is become a vocal critic—two years after the 2023 elections.
More Than Just a Supporter
Elon Musk and President Trump’s bitter public fuel renewed the age old argument of who makes a president. Elon claimed he made Donald Trump POTUS by swinging heavily in the presidents camp early on and in-cancelling him on X, not to mention the huge donations.
El-Rufai hasn’t gone that far to claim he made Tinubu president — but he was not merely a sycophantic supporter; he was instrumental in bringing Tinubu to power. From rallying Northern APC governors to endorse rotation of the presidency to the South after eight years of Tinubu (to the chagrin of Yahaya Bello, Ahmed Lawan and others).
El- Rufai also answered a security related question at Chatham House, on behalf of Tinubu who introduced a new word into our lexicon - “teamship”
He didn’t stop there — he was part of the 3 governors who sued the Buhari-led federal government over the naira scarcity crisis.
It’s no surprise then candidate Tinubu asked El Rufai to suspend his plans to come serve in his incoming administration.
Hence it’s understandable why El-Rufai May feel slighted at being discarded at the last hurdle, over an unpublished “security report” during the senate screening process.
Is El-Rufai a Political Lightweight?
Post the bombshell interviews, APC loyalists have argued that El-Rufai is overstating his political clout—particularly across the North, where he has positioned himself as a key Buhari ally and hopes to inherent his support base. They point to the fact that the APC lost Kaduna to the PDP in 2023, in a closely contested election.
But that argument falls apart under scrutiny. President Tinubu also lost Lagos to the Labour Party—does that make him a political lightweight? Absolutely not.
El-Rufai remains a formidable political force with influence that stretches beyond the borders of Kaduna State. He is a gifted orator—persuasive, articulate, and commanding. However, his reputation—especially among Christian communities in both the North and South—has taken significant hits over the years due to inflammatory rhetoric and controversial policies. Notably, Southern Kaduna has experienced relative calm since his departure from office.
Insider or Opponent?
APC critics argue that El-Rufai is bitter and bruised, barking from the political backyard. But others insist that the focus should be on the message, not the messenger.
Yes, El-Rufai may be deeply flawed—but even his staunchest adversaries would acknowledge his intellect and strategic mind.
Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between.
As the saying goes: “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

Ajala the traveller! Buhari no do reach like this

deji17:
If El Rufai had been confirmed as a Minister, he will not be saying this gibberish now. Some Nigeria politicians are one of the most selfish, self centered and deceitful people in the world.

Check other climes aka US & UK. It’s the same shxt. People say the truth when they have nothing to lose. Same way you won’t criticize your boss/employer when you’re still on their payroll. The key should be his message and not the messenger. He’s speaking the truth (doesn’t mean El Rufai is a saint though!)

Babamide:
I no fit cry but movies that almost made me cry.
Just Mercy (2019)
The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Good choice with Fault in Our Stars! Hazel Grace!!

Evagreenfields:
Hi, applied on Friday, my visa came out today and it was the standard visa application

Gracias!

Goodenoch:
Don't know about dependants processing timelines but for my recent visa switch application - applied on Friday, got the approval on Tuesday. They had said it might take up to 8 weeks as well. Seems they're much faster nowadays.

As to BRPs, the new visa validity shows up on the evisa page immediately so it'll serve to prove status for anything in-country. In my recent trips outside, BRPs weren't even checked at all on the UK side.

Thank you!

Now that BRP has been phased out, what happens when you add a new dependant?
Also, how long is the actual processing time for a standard application? I know it’s advertised as 8 weeks, but I’d like to hear from anyone with recent experience—was it faster or longer?

*Renewed Hope or Ruthless Hardship? A Scorecard of President Tinubu @ 2*

On May 29, 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th President inheriting a nation still reeling from a disputed election and grappling with deep-rooted structural and economic challenges. Despite succeeding an APC government he helped bring to power in 2015, he chose a counterintuitive campaign slogan: Renewed Hope, rather than a continuity agenda.

Two years later, there’s little sign of meaningful progress on the key issues that dominated the election campaign. In fact, when it comes to the economy and insecurity, one could argue the situation has actually deteriorated

1. *ECONOMY*: Reform or Ruin?

Tinubu’s most defining economic moves came within days of assuming office: the abrupt removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira. These twin policies were hailed by international observers as necessary market corrections. But for the average Nigerian, they triggered a cost-of-living crisis of historic proportions.

Inflation soared, the naira plummeted, and purchasing power evaporated. While the government claims inflation is now easing and foreign reserves have rebounded

, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Food prices remain punishingly high, and the much-touted increase in state allocations post-subsidy removal has been largely neutralised by hyperinflation.

2. *SECURITY*: A Mixed Bag

Tinubu’s administration claims to have eliminated over 13,500 terrorists and made significant gains in the fight against insurgency. Yet, insecurity remains a daily reality for millions. Banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence continue to plague large swathes of the country (Benue, Plateau, Borno).

3. *INFRASTRUCTURE*: Misplaced Priorities?

Perhaps the most controversial infrastructure project under Tinubu is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway—a 700km mega-road estimated to cost ₦15.6 trillion, amounting to 56% of the 2024 national budget. While the administration promotes it as a transformative initiative to boost connectivity and economic activity along Nigeria’s southern corridor, critics argue that beyond its staggering cost, the project reflects misplaced priorities. With countless major roads across the country in a terrible state of disrepair, many question whether such vast resources could have been better allocated to more urgent and widespread road projects.

4. *STATE GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS*: A Shrinking Space

The 2023 and subsequent off-cycle elections were marred by allegations of the famous IREV glitch, voter suppression, violence, and manipulation. The promise of free and fair elections remains unfulfilled. Many Nigerians feel disenfranchised, and trust in democratic institutions continues to erode as evidenced by the increasing voter apathy during state and local government elections.

*Conclusion*

At the halfway point of his presidency, Tinubu’s legacy remains up in the air. To the president’s supporters—whose numbers appear to be growing by the day despite the economic hardship and rising insecurity—the administration is on the right track, and its reforms are expected to yield results soon. Whether history will judge him as a reformer or a reckless gambler depends on what the next two years bring.

To his opponents, he is administration is failing and they’re vowing to make Tinubu a One Time President (OTP).

For now, while the president continues to gain defectors from the political class, ordinary Nigerians continue to wait—some with hope, others with growing disillusionment about the rest of his term and the looming 2027 election.

Renewed Hope or Ruthless Hardship? A Scorecard of President Tinubu @ 2

On May 29, 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th President inheriting a nation still reeling from a disputed election and grappling with deep-rooted structural and economic challenges. Despite succeeding an APC government he helped bring to power in 2015, he chose a counterintuitive campaign slogan: Renewed Hope, rather than a continuity agenda.

Two years later, there’s little sign of meaningful progress on the key issues that dominated the election campaign. In fact, when it comes to the economy and insecurity, one could argue the situation has actually deteriorated

1. ECONOMY: Reform or Ruin?

Tinubu’s most defining economic moves came within days of assuming office: the abrupt removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira. These twin policies were hailed by international observers as necessary market corrections. But for the average Nigerian, they triggered a cost-of-living crisis of historic proportions.

Inflation soared, the naira plummeted, and purchasing power evaporated. While the government claims inflation is now easing and foreign reserves have rebounded

, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Food prices remain punishingly high, and the much-touted increase in state allocations post-subsidy removal has been largely neutralised by hyperinflation.

2. SECURITY: A Mixed Bag

Tinubu’s administration claims to have eliminated over 13,500 terrorists and made significant gains in the fight against insurgency. Yet, insecurity remains a daily reality for millions. Banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence continue to plague large swathes of the country (Benue, Plateau, Borno).

3. INFRASTRUCTURE: Misplaced Priorities?

Perhaps the most controversial infrastructure project under Tinubu is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway—a 700km mega-road estimated to cost ₦15.6 trillion, amounting to 56% of the 2024 national budget. While the administration promotes it as a transformative initiative to boost connectivity and economic activity along Nigeria’s southern corridor, critics argue that beyond its staggering cost, the project reflects misplaced priorities. With countless major roads across the country in a terrible state of disrepair, many question whether such vast resources could have been better allocated to more urgent and widespread road projects.

4. STATE GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS: A Shrinking Space

The 2023 and subsequent off-cycle elections were marred by allegations of the famous IREV glitch, voter suppression, violence, and manipulation. The promise of free and fair elections remains unfulfilled. Many Nigerians feel disenfranchised, and trust in democratic institutions continues to erode as evidenced by the increasing voter apathy during state and local government elections.

Conclusion

At the halfway point of his presidency, Tinubu’s legacy remains up in the air. To the president’s supporters—whose numbers appear to be growing by the day despite the economic hardship and rising insecurity—the administration is on the right track, and its reforms are expected to yield results soon. Whether history will judge him as a reformer or a reckless gambler depends on what the next two years bring.

To his opponents, he is administration is failing and they’re vowing to make Tinubu a One Time President (OTP).

For now, while the president continues to gain defectors from the political class, ordinary Nigerians continue to wait—some with hope, others with growing disillusionment about the rest of his term and the looming 2027 election.

Please let me know your thoughts

On May 29, 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th President inheriting a nation still reeling from a disputed election and grappling with deep-rooted structural and economic challenges. Despite succeeding an APC government he helped bring to power in 2015, he chose a counterintuitive campaign slogan: Renewed Hope, rather than a continuity agenda.

Two years later, there’s little sign of meaningful progress on the key issues that dominated the election campaign. In fact, when it comes to the economy and insecurity, one could argue the situation has actually deteriorated

1. ECONOMY: Reform or Ruin?

Tinubu’s most defining economic moves came within days of assuming office: the abrupt removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira. These twin policies were hailed by international observers as necessary market corrections. But for the average Nigerian, they triggered a cost-of-living crisis of historic proportions.

Inflation soared, the naira plummeted, and purchasing power evaporated. While the government claims inflation is now easing and foreign reserves have rebounded, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Food prices remain punishingly high, and the much-touted increase in state allocations post-subsidy removal has been largely neutralised by hyperinflation.

2. SECURITY: A Mixed Bag

Tinubu’s administration claims to have eliminated over 13,500 terrorists and made significant gains in the fight against insurgency. Yet, insecurity remains a daily reality for millions. Banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence continue to plague large swathes of the country (Benue, Plateau, Borno).

3. INFRASTRUCTURE: Misplaced Priorities?

Perhaps the most controversial infrastructure project under Tinubu is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway—a 700km mega-road estimated to cost ₦15.6 trillion, amounting to 56% of the 2024 national budget. While the administration promotes it as a transformative initiative to boost connectivity and economic activity along Nigeria’s southern corridor, critics argue that beyond its staggering cost, the project reflects misplaced priorities. With countless major roads across the country in a terrible state of disrepair, many question whether such vast resources could have been better allocated to more urgent and widespread road projects.

4. STATE GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS: A Shrinking Space

The 2023 and subsequent off-cycle elections were marred by allegations of the famous IREV glitch, voter suppression, violence, and manipulation. The promise of free and fair elections remains unfulfilled. Many Nigerians feel disenfranchised, and trust in democratic institutions continues to erode as evidenced by the increasing voter apathy during state and local government elections.

Conclusion

At the halfway point of his presidency, Tinubu’s legacy remains up in the air. To the president’s supporters—whose numbers appear to be growing by the day despite the economic hardship and rising insecurity—the administration is on the right track, and its reforms are expected to yield results soon. Whether history will judge him as a reformer or a reckless gambler depends on what the next two years bring.

To his opponents, he is administration is failing and they’re vowing to make Tinubu a One Time President (OTP).

For now, while the president continues to gain defectors from the political class, ordinary Nigerians continue to wait—some with hope, others with growing disillusionment about the rest of his term and the looming 2027 election.

Goke7:
And Farage is in this league? hmmmm

Never said he was! IMHO, he’s the best of the bunch.

Nothing Keir Starmer says, moves me - too lawyerly and very robotic! I said this long before the general elections, when he was running ads on YouTube.

If Labour are serious, they can pull a Mark Carney and replace him with Wes Streeting or Yvette Cooper. Avoid Angela Rayner!

For the Conservatives, a few options: Rob Jenrick, Mel Stride or Alex Burghart (very impressive at PMQs). Forget blathering, lying Buffon Boris, he’s a busted flush.

Cyberknight:
Be careful what you wish for. Politics as entertainment usually ends badly; politics as quiet delivery more useful to mankind.
In any event, what Mr. Farage said is more interesting that how he said it. Effectively Labour have allowed him to capture the narrative,

Not sure I will call it politics for entertainment (no one does it better than The Donald; I’ve cancelled my Netflix just to watch all the tomfoolery in the Whitehouse). What I’m really talking about is the art of crafting a strong argument— logical thinking, persuasive delivery & even a bit of charisma. Remember Ronald Reagan? Bill Clinton? Barack Obama? Tony Blair? Those are some of the most memorable politicians in the last four decades and they all had their ‘achievements’ to reel out as evidence of their presidency/premiership.

Now compare that with Keir Starmer—every PMQs response seems to circle back to a “£22 billion black hole” or accusations like “Farage is a Putin admirer.” Illogical and zero cut through, hence the shellacking at the local elections.

Then there’s Kemi Badenoch, who’s a straight talker unless it’s about Trump/MAGA, Israel or her alternative proposal (Renewal Programme). Not to mention her extremely hardline stance on immigration, despite the irony that her own mother took advantage of from the very system she now criticises. The hypocrisy isn’t lost on anyone. Anyway she’s a goner, total lame duck.

Back to the topic, it’s not just political leaders who are judged by their rhetorical abilities. Just like we assess people in everyday life—in interviews, conversations, at parties—the public is doing the same with these leaders. At the end of the day, come election time, people have to vote between the options available… unless Cyberknight decides to run, in which case you tick all the boxes and have my full backing (in Naija style, unalloyed support, Your Excellency).