Owning Up to Leadership Failures and Political Responsibility
This morning, I listened to the British Prime Minister’s speech announcing his planned resignation in July. As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development.
The Prime Minister’s planned resignation comes amid mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, a worsening cost-of-living crisis, and a perceived failure to honour key campaign pledges.
Looking inward in our dear country, we can recall our own situation. Before 2015, our President on several occasions championed the call for the then President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over economic hardship and insecurity affecting Nigerians. During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives.
During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments—particularly in providing stable power, fighting corruption, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased. Similar concerns are reflected across other critical sectors such as security, infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, all of which have regressed. We are in the worst possible condition.
I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance. Such a gesture would help enthrone a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility, rather than further entrenching impunity. It would also send a powerful message that public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement, and help build a society in which future leaders understand that failure carries consequences. Only by ending the culture of impunity can we secure a better future for the society our children will inherit in a New Nigeria that is possible. -PO
Let me do a little football argument today, Mr Bayo:
You are free to love Ronaldo, but you cannot make an argument that he is greater than Messi.
What metrics do you want to measure with? Messi beats Ronaldo across the board.
But let’s flip their records. Would Messi still be greater than Cristiano Ronaldo if:
Messi had 35 trophies, while Ronaldo had 46, the highest in the world?
Messi had five Ballon d’Ors, while Ronaldo had eight?
Messi had 8 domestic titles, while Ronaldo had 13+?
Messi had just the Euros and two Nations Leagues, while Ronaldo had a World Cup, two Copas, one Olympic medal, and one Finalissima?
Messi had 2 FIFA The Best awards, while Ronaldo had 3?
Messi had 4 Golden Shoes, while Ronaldo had 6?
Messi had 0 World Cup Golden Balls, while Ronaldo had 2?
Messi had 0 World Cup Golden Boots, while Ronaldo had 1?
Messi had 960+ goals, while Ronaldo had 900+, but also the most assists, dribbles, and chances created, while playing two fewer years than him?
Messi had 5 Champions League titles, while Ronaldo had 4?
Messi had 0 Laureus Sports Awards, while Ronaldo had 1, the only footballer to win it?
I could go on and on. But even in that scenario, Ronaldo fans would still not concede that Messi is better.
But that is the reality we have here.
The whole of football knows Messi is both better and greater.
Ronaldo’s teammates attest to this. Messi’s teammates attest to this.
Top coaches in the world attest to it:
Pep Guardiola
Jürgen Klopp
Arsène Wenger
José Mourinho
Etc.
Legends of football attest to it, and their careers attest to it.
Messi is 39, and he is still playing with the highest creative and playmaking responsibility on the pitch.
Ronaldo shifted from the wings to the box as early as 2015–2018.
Now they are both at the twilight of their careers, and we see one still actively dictating play, while the other has become a shadow of his former self.
Messi is better and greater than Ronaldo in all regards.
🚨[🟢] NEW: Arsenal’s Premier League title lift recorded the highest live viewership for a title celebration in the last two decades 😳
Today’s celebrations peaked at 7.3 million live viewers, compared to Liverpool’s 3 million viewers during their title lift last season.