Agbese, Benue Lawmaker, Replies Ex-Gov. Bafarawa

• Says Open Letter To Tinubu Contained Several Misrepresentations

Hon. Dr  Philip Agbese, the House of Representatives member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, has said that the recent open letter to President Bola Tinubu by former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa contained several misrepresentations, misjudgments, and misplaced expectations that require a careful examination and clarification from a neutral and patriot respective.

Hon. Agbese, also in an open letter addressed to the former Governor Bafarawa, carpeted the former Sokoto governor over his remarks about President Tinubu’s administration.

In his open letter in response to that of Bafarawa, Hon Agbase, the Okanga 1 of Agilaland, said: “I extend my warmest and most sincere greetings to you, accompanied by heartfelt wishes for your continued good health, mental clarity, and overall well-being.

“Like you, I am deeply invested in the progress of our nation and in the success of the democracy we have worked so hard to build.

“It is in this spirit of constructive dialogue and patriotic commitment that I write to you today, not out of malice, but out of a firm belief that your recent open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu contained several misrepresentations, misjudgments, and misplaced expectations that require a careful examination and clarification from a neutral and patriot respective.”

Hon. Agbese continued: “As an elder statesman, your role ought to be one of guidance based on fairness and objectivity, rather than engaging in narratives that do not align with the realities on the ground.

“Unfortunately, your letter to the President veers into the latter, as it ignores the efforts, policies, and significant progress made by this administration in less than two years despite your foreknowledge of its power transition.

“I would like to begin with your implicit suggestion that President Tinubu’s government is somehow stifling opposition or tilting towards authoritarianism.

“This assertion, with all due respect, is not only misleading, but also dismissive of the political inclusivity that has defined his administration from day one.” 

Agbese stressed: “For the record, no Nigerian democratic President in history has demonstrated as much commitment to inclusivity as President Tinubu.

“This is evident in his carefully assembled cabinet; a diverse representation of the country, not just in terms of geography, but in professional expertise and competence.

“From the appointment of ministers to key agency heads, Tinubu has broken from the past by prioritising capacity over blind loyalty or ethnic considerations.” 

Agbese stressed that unlike previous administrations that lean heavily on sectional interests or partisan allegiances, President Tinubu has set a standard that ensures that the best hands—regardless of political, ethnic, or religious backgrounds, are given the opportunity to contribute to national development.

“If there was ever a government that embraced the principle of Nigeria first, this is it. 

“This inclusivity is also reflected in his economic policies, security initiatives, and diplomatic engagements. I strongly believe that a man who governs with such broad-based participation cannot be accused of intolerance towards the opposition.

“The very foundation of your argument collapses under the weight of this simple and obvious truth. 

“The Nigerian economy we knew, was not merely ‘battered’, it was on life support.

“The fiscal policies of the past administration left the country with unsustainable debt levels, a crippling subsidy regime, and a foreign exchange system that encouraged arbitrage and corruption.

“Insecurity, which you rightly highlighted, had become a hydra-headed monster, with banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping reaching unprecedented levels.

“However, you fail to afford him the patience required to systematically address these deep-rooted issues.

“No sincere observer of Nigeria’s governance landscape would dispute that the country was in dire straits when President Tinubu took office.

“These are not excuses but facts that must be acknowledged to appreciate the magnitude of the task before President Tinubu.

“The insecurity that has plagued Nigeria, which ranges from terrorism in the North-East to banditry in the North-West, IPOB insurgency in the South-East, and oil theft in the South-South did not begin under President Tinubu.

“The previous administration, despite its best efforts, struggled to fully contain these threats. Insecurity had become deeply entrenched, requiring a more strategic and long-term approach to dismantle its structures.

“Moreover, since assuming office, President Tinubu has undertaken crucial reforms to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.

“He has revitalised the leadership of the military and intelligence agencies, provided them with improved operational capabilities, and encouraged regional collaborations to curb cross-border criminal activities.

“The fight against insecurity is ongoing, but significant progress has been recorded. Attacks have been repelled, terrorists have been neutralised, and territories once under siege have been reclaimed.

“I would boldly say that it is disingenuous to expect Tinubu to eradicate a decade-long security crisis in less than two years.

“Such an expectation is not only unrealistic but also undermines the collective patience required from all Nigerians to allow these reforms to take full effect.

“If you, an elder statesman, cannot provide this patience, how do you expect the average citizen to?

“You also touched on the economic hardships facing Nigerians today.

“Again, while you acknowledge that President Tinubu inherited a battered economy, your letter fails to give due credit to the bold reforms he has implemented to put Nigeria on the path to long-term economic stability.

“The removal of fuel subsidies, for instance, was not an easy decision, but it was a necessary one.

“The subsidy regime had become a black hole of corruption, benefiting only a few while draining national resources that could have been channeled into infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

“By removing it, the President took a decisive step that previous administrations lacked the political will to take.”

According to him, had previous administrations undertaken these difficult, but necessary decisions, Nigeria’s economy would not be in the fragile state it was when President Tinubu took office.

He argued: “Instead, those before him kicked the can down the road, leaving him to bear the burden of unmaking years of economic mismanagement.

“Criticising him for making tough choices is what I believed to be both unfair and shortsighted.” 

Agbese maintained that as a senior politician with decades of experience, it is crucial that you take off the lenses of political bias and embrace a stance of neutrality. President Tinubu’s fight is not against opposition figures like yourself; it is against corruption, nepotism, incompetence, insecurity, and those who have looted Nigeria’s commonwealth for too long. 

Agbese continued: “Rather than casting unnecessary aspersions, this is the time to rally behind the government’s efforts to rebuild Nigeria.

“Constructive criticism is welcome, but it must be grounded in fairness and a recognition of the challenges at hand.

“If we truly desire a better Nigeria, we must be willing to endure short-term difficulties for long-term gains. You have spoken of democracy and the need to protect the opposition.

“Yet, in your own political history, you have benefitted from and participated in opposition politics without facing suppression.

“Tinubu himself rose to power through opposition politics. The insinuation that he is now attempting to stifle the opposition is a contradiction that does not stand to reason.”