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| SEYI TINUBU ( The Son of President BOLA AHMED TINUBU)) |
Public discourse in Nigeria is slowly losing direction, and honestly, it is becoming worrying. The growing trend of insulting Seyi Tinubu because of the perceived underperformance of his father’s administration is not just unfair, it is misplaced.
Let’s be sincere. Nigerians have every right to question and hold the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu accountable. That is our right. But there is a clear difference between holding leaders accountable and transferring aggression to someone who is not in charge of governance! Seyi Tinubu is not the President. He is not the one making policies or decisions that affect the economy. So why direct the anger at him?
What stands out to me is how quick we are to tear down someone who is at least trying to connect with the youth. In a country where many people in positions of influence hardly relate with young Nigerians, Seyi Tinubu has made himself visible. He shows up, engages, and listens. That effort alone should not be met with insults.
If we are being honest, no President’s son in Nigeria’s history has been this active and present among young people the way Seyi Tinubu is. Agree with him or not, that level of engagement is different, and it should be acknowledged.
Even more, his willingness to move across regions and mingle freely, especially with Northern youths, says a lot. In a country where tribal sentiments often divide us, that kind of openness shows he is not operating from a tribal mindset. It shows a level of inclusiveness that we constantly preach but rarely see in practice.
Sometimes I wonder what exactly we want. We complain that leaders are not accessible. We say the youth are not carried along. But when someone attempts to bridge that gap, we respond with hostility. It almost feels like we are more comfortable criticizing than building.
This is not about defending any government. It is about being fair and intentional with our criticism. If there are issues with governance, let the criticism go directly to those responsible. Turning someone into a target simply because of who their father is weakens the message we are trying to pass.
From where I stand, Seyi Tinubu represents a possibility. A young Nigerian who understands that leadership is not just about holding office, but about connection, presence, and influence. These are qualities we should encourage, not destroy.
Nigeria will not move forward if we keep attacking every emerging voice. We need to learn how to correct without condemning, to question without insulting, and to build without constantly tearing down.
As I always say “Critique the act, not the actor; uplift the possibility, not destroy the hope.” Because at the end of the day, the kind of nation we become will depend on how well we balance accountability with fairness.