Hon. Nnenna Ukeje of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has explained why she chose not to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, despite previously admiring his political leadership and achievements in Lagos State.
Speaking in a recent interview, Ukeje said she grew up respecting Tinubu’s political trajectory, describing him as a prominent opposition figure who stood up to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. She also credited him with laying the foundation for policies that helped transform Lagos, many of which were sustained by former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.
According to her, Tinubu successfully projected Lagos as a “mini Nigeria” and presented himself as a leader who would govern the country in an inclusive manner. However, she said her expectations were not fulfilled after he assumed office as president.
“I’m not angry, I’m disappointed,” Ukeje stated, explaining that her reaction stemmed from the high hopes she had for his administration. She added that the experience reinforced her belief that “regional champions don’t necessarily make central champions.”
Ukeje argued that one of the major criticisms of the current administration is its perceived lack of inclusiveness. She claimed that the president has surrounded himself with a “Lagos cabal,” adding that the federal government often appears to operate like “Lagos State in Abuja.”
Explaining her preference for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, she pointed to the calibre of political figures around him, including David Mark and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, whom she described as experienced leaders committed to democratic values and constitutional governance. She also dismissed claims that Atiku did not contribute to efforts against terrorism, citing his decision to sponsor the education of some rescued Chibok schoolgirls at the American University of Nigeria in Yola, a move she said helped counter Boko Haram’s opposition to Western education.
Elijah Adeyemi
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