Dr. Abejide Olusegun
For over two decades, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, a former Nigerian Head of State, has frequently visited the Marylebone Clinic in London for medical treatment, despite the availability of comparable facilities in Nigeria. Abubakar, along with the late Muhammadu Buhari—who recently passed away in the same clinic—has faced criticism for opting to seek medical care abroad while in power. Both leaders had opportunities to transform Nigeria’s healthcare sector and enhance the well-being of their citizens, but neglected to address the systemic issues plaguing the nation’s medical services.
Abubakar’s repeated trips to the UK reflect not only personal negligence but also a stark indictment of the leadership and priorities of those entrusted with the country’s most critical responsibilities. When citizens suffer from inadequate infrastructure, poor healthcare, and insecurity, their leaders should spearhead efforts for change. Instead of leading by example, Abubakar and other officials chose to seek treatment overseas, abandoning the very system they were meant to improve.
While these leaders accessed the comforts of foreign medical facilities, the average Nigerian faced vastly different circumstances. Hospitals like the University College Hospital in Ibadan and Eko Hospital in Lagos could have provided quality healthcare if they had received proper funding, equipment, and staffing. The failure to prioritize healthcare reform is not an isolated occurrence; for decades, Nigerian leaders have consistently broken promises to enhance the nation’s infrastructure, leaving the public to endure substandard conditions.
This neglect has been exacerbated by individuals like Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, a former Nigerian Foreign Minister, who has repeatedly made excuses for the lack of progress in the nation. Gambari and others continue to provide hollow justifications for their shortcomings, focusing more on their survival than on the welfare of the Nigerian people. They prioritize their comfort and legacy over addressing the systemic challenges facing the country, further exposing the deep-rooted problems within Nigeria’s political structure.
The culture of inept leadership extends beyond a few individuals. For the past 45 years, Nigeria has been trapped in a cycle of ineffective leaders, often referred to as “pen robbers,” who recycle through the system without offering meaningful solutions. These figures, including former leaders, have repeatedly demonstrated that their primary concern is their welfare rather than the health and prosperity of the Nigerian people. They have failed to fulfill their obligations to the nation.
General Abdulsalam Abubakar is particularly known for his frequent trips to the Marylebone Clinic in London for medical check-ups. Despite having access to Nigeria’s medical facilities, including those in the Federal Capital Territory and specialized hospitals like the Aso Rock State House Hospital, he continues to seek treatment abroad. This behavior not only reflects his personal choices but also highlights the disconnect between Nigeria’s ruling elite and the realities faced by the masses.
The hypocrisy is glaring. While the Nigerian government allocates funds for foreign trips and private healthcare for its leaders, the country’s public hospitals remain underfunded and ill-equipped. This negligence has far-reaching consequences, as the average Nigerian suffers in poorly maintained healthcare facilities that lack basic medical resources. This issue is not merely about access to healthcare; it pertains to national pride and responsibility. It is unconscionable for leaders entrusted with billions of naira in public funds to seek medical care abroad instead of using those resources to improve healthcare systems at home.
Abubakar, who served as Head of State in the late 1990s, along with Buhari, was in a prime position to address the nation’s healthcare crisis. Both had the power to implement policies and allocate resources that could have improved the health sector for all Nigerians. However, they squandered this opportunity by prioritizing their comfort over the nation’s well-being. The death of Buhari, who passed away in a foreign hospital, tragically symbolizes failed leadership in Nigeria, underscoring the neglect of the country’s healthcare system by those in power.
Moreover, the reluctance of these leaders to invest in Nigeria’s healthcare and infrastructure reveals a deeper issue within the Nigerian political system. The political class, both past and present, has consistently demonstrated a lack of concern for the people they govern. This is evident in their decisions to spend large sums on personal luxuries while ignoring the needs of the public, reflecting the corruption that has long characterized Nigerian politics.
For years, voices of dissent have called for systemic change, arguing that Nigeria’s leadership prioritizes maintaining power and wealth over improving the lives of its citizens. These leaders have failed to provide essential services, such as healthcare, education, and security, to the very people they claim to serve. Meanwhile, they continue to misuse the country’s resources, leaving millions of Nigerians to cope with the consequences of their negligence.
The most troubling aspect of this situation is the complete disregard for the lives of ordinary Nigerians. While the elite seek medical care abroad, the average Nigerian must navigate a broken healthcare system, often with little or no government support. This inequality is not only morally indefensible but also economically unsustainable. A healthy population is essential for the growth and development of any nation; yet, Nigeria continues to prioritize the health and comfort of its leaders over that of its citizens.
Another disturbing element is the lack of accountability among leadership figures like Abubakar and Buhari, who have failed in their duties to the Nigerian people yet continue to enjoy the privileges that come with power, including access to top-tier medical care. Meanwhile, the public endures the consequences of their negligence. This disparity highlights a larger issue in Nigeria: the failure of leadership to serve the people effectively.
In addition to the healthcare crisis, Nigeria’s political class has displayed alarming indifference to pressing issues. Figures such as Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote have been accused of advancing their agendas at the expense of the Nigerian populace. Gates, in particular, has been linked to the Nigerian government’s policies on security, health, and taxation, raising concerns about foreign influence on the country’s sovereignty. Similarly, Dangote’s business interests often appear to prioritize personal gain over the nation’s needs. These individuals, along with other political elites, have been accused of exploiting Nigeria’s resources for their benefit while leaving the population to suffer.
The failure of Nigeria’s political leadership is not just a relic of the past. Under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the country continues to grapple with issues of insecurity, corruption, and economic mismanagement. Despite efforts to reform the tax system and improve security, the political elite remains resistant to change, benefiting from a status quo that perpetuates the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment that has afflicted Nigeria for decades.
The situation is further complicated by political infighting among Nigeria’s various regions. The South-West and South-East have long advocated for regional autonomy and fiscal federalism, facing resistance from the North. This tension has deepened divisions within the country, hindering the progress necessary to move Nigeria forward. President Tinubu’s attempts to implement these reforms have encountered fierce opposition from those who fear losing power and control over the nation’s resources.
The challenges facing Nigeria are numerous and complex, yet they are not insurmountable. The country’s leadership must be held accountable for its actions, particularly concerning healthcare, education, and security. The people of Nigeria deserve leaders who prioritize their well-being and the nation’s interests over personal gain.
In conclusion, the failure of Nigerian leaders to prioritize the welfare of their citizens is evident in their actions—or lack thereof—in critical areas like healthcare and governance. The cases of Abdulsalam Abubakar and Muhammadu Buhari exemplify a broader pattern of neglect and mismanagement. It is time for Nigeria to hold its leaders accountable and demand a change in governance. Only then can the country begin to address the systemic issues that have hindered its progress for so long.
Nigerians should take a step back and think critically rather than accept the misleading narratives propagated by opposition politicians. Many simply repeat the claims made without the intelligence or insight to think for themselves. This should not be the case. We all advocate for the restructuring of Nigeria, often citing the North as the primary issue the country faces, yet there is a resistance to change. Will Obi implement fiscal federalism or regional government? It seems unlikely, as he has agreed to serve the North as their subordinate, promising only four years to briefly touch the presidency. He knows he cannot accomplish much in that time, and even if he wanted to make significant changes, they would not allow him to do so. If he insisted on enacting substantial reforms, it could lead to further conflict.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to serve for eight years. While the hunger crisis is being addressed, northern politicians are working against him. They exploit insecurity for their gain. Despite Tinubu’s efforts to eliminate many terrorists and Fulani herdsmen, more are being brought in to destabilize crucial agricultural states like Kogi, Benue, and Jos, the food baskets of Nigeria.
Tinubu has opened the borders to allow food, including rice, to flow into the country. Who is complaining? The northern elites, who claim that President Tinubu has taken away the oil subsidy they exploited for their benefit. Who truly benefits from the oil subsidy? It is the Northerners! Who profits from the forex market? Again, it is the Northerners! President Tinubu has eliminated their Bureau de Change operations, which undermined Nigeria by buying foreign exchange at undervalued rates. This singular forex exchange rate regime is hurting many elites and shutting down numerous Bureau de Change operations. They are now attempting to jeopardize agriculture for political gain, despite being the ones creating artificial scarcity.
I often find myself astonished by how easily people can be manipulated and deceived. If Tinubu is prioritizing the interests of politicians, and the political class consists of elites, then they are not serving the common man; they are serving their interests. Therefore, if the so-called elites are expressing discontent, it indicates that the president has aligned himself with the poor and the everyday citizen. This truth will become increasingly evident over time. We remain steadfast in our support of President Tinubu’s mandate.
He must fulfill his eight-year term, God willing. They should start preparing for 2031.
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