Nollywood actress and filmmaker Shan George has publicly questioned President Bola Tinubu's leadership, expressing concerns that his current performance does not align with his acclaimed record as the former governor of Lagos State. In a detailed Facebook post shared on Monday, George highlighted the stark contrast between Tinubu's past achievements and his present governance style, sparking widespread discussion among Nigerians.
Recalling Tinubu's Legacy in Lagos
Shan George reminisced about Tinubu's tenure as Lagos State governor, where he demonstrated strong leadership and implemented key development projects despite political tensions with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. She noted that Tinubu transformed Lagos with grace and panache, turning the city into a better place than he found it. His notable accomplishments included building the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal Two (MM2), dualizing Allen Avenue, and numerous other road projects within Lagos.
Additionally, George praised Tinubu for clearing the streets of area boys and establishing the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), among other initiatives. She emphasized that these efforts were carried out with minimal federal support, making it a prosperous time for Lagosians who held Tinubu in high regard. "Lagosians loved Tinubu," she wrote, underscoring the public admiration during his governorship.
Basis for Presidential Assessment
The actress pointed out that Tinubu's performance in Lagos served as a critical yardstick for evaluating his capacity for the presidency. She explained that his track record of effective governance and resilience against political adversaries was a key factor in the assessment process. "I believe that's the yardstick he was measured with, while weighing him for the kind of capacity needed for the role of a president," George added, indicating that his past successes set high expectations for his national leadership.
Concerns Over Current Leadership
However, Shan George expressed deep concern over Tinubu's current leadership, questioning the significant difference between his past and present governance. She wrote, "But the president we are seeing now makes me wonder, where is the Tinubu we used to know? The Tinubu who stood and protested and won against many past bad governance right from when I was still wearing diapers? The Tinubu who fought OBJ hands down and made Lagos a heaven? The real City Boy, what happened?"
George attributed this change primarily to age, suggesting that it may have impacted his leadership capacity. She stated, "In my opinion, AGE happened, which is a nature call and should not be faulted... But at this point, even he should on his own step down without being told, it's honourable to leave the stage when there's still some applaud, loud or not."
Allegations of Poor Advice
Further, the actress alleged that those surrounding the president might not offer honest advice due to personal interests. She claimed, "But his cronies won't tell him now, their gains in it won't let them, until they push him to work himself to kpai... Baba should just resign now." This comment reflects her belief that external influences are hindering effective governance.
Clarification on Political Stance
Shan George clarified that she is not affiliated with any political party and was merely expressing her personal opinion as a concerned citizen. She wrote, "My name is Shan George, an International Award Winning African Film Maker. And I'm proudly Nigerian. I'm not a card carrier of any political party, I don't support Tinubu, neither am I currently supporting any presidential candidate, I'm just a good citizen bearing her mind respectfully." This statement underscores her intent to provide constructive criticism without political bias.
The post has ignited conversations about leadership, accountability, and the expectations placed on public figures based on their historical records. As debates continue, Shan George's remarks highlight the ongoing scrutiny of Tinubu's presidency and the broader implications for Nigerian governance.
