In a recent interview on Arise TV, Ladan Salihu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed concerns about the challenges arising from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election victory with only 37% of the votes. Salihu pointed out that Tinubu’s administration, while legitimate, represents a minority of the population. This has led to concerns about inclusivity and representation in governance, especially in a country as large and diverse as Nigeria.
Salihu highlighted the fact that despite securing only 37% of the votes, Tinubu’s administration controls all key government positions, including ministerial appointments, board chairmanships, and other crucial structures of power. He argued that this concentration of power effectively excludes the remaining 63% of the population from meaningful participation in governance. This, Salihu emphasized, is a significant issue for a nation with a population of 250 million people, many of whom now feel underrepresented.
While acknowledging the constitutional legitimacy of Tinubu’s administration, Salihu suggested that the current situation reflects a deeper flaw in the system. He speculated that Nigeria’s founding fathers may not have fully anticipated the challenges posed by a government elected with a minority of the votes. This has led to a governance structure that, although legal, risks alienating a large portion of the population.
Salihu stressed that the exclusionary nature of the current government structure is problematic for Nigeria’s unity and development. He pointed out that the system, despite being technically legitimate, leaves a significant portion of the population feeling marginalized. This lack of representation could have long-term consequences for the country’s political stability and cohesion.
He said, “You have a president sitting in the villa with 37 percent of the votes, he has all the ministers, he has all the chairmen of boards. He has all the structures of government within those 37 percent population, the 63 percent population are excluded from governance. And for a country of 250 million people, this is unacceptable. The founding fathers of the present constitution did not probably work hard to envisage these kind of difficulties. But, you cannot say the system is illegitimate, it is a legitimate constitution.”
