Years ago, I saw a cartoon in a national daily. It depicted caricatured images of Vice President Namadi Sambo standing behind a nervous President Goodluck Jonathan, whispering, “It’s a yearly poem. Just recite and go!” The cartoon captured the media buzz surrounding the budget presentation and the pressure on Jonathan to deliver the “yearly poem” to the National Assembly.
It implied that the process had become a mere formality rather than a meaningful governance exercise. The cartoon seemed to question whether the proposed plans addressed pressing issues or merely repeated lofty promises without tangible results.
It was a call to move beyond rhetoric and polished documents, advocating for proper scrutiny, transparency, follow-through, and practical outcomes.
In keeping with the budget tradition, President Bola Tinubu, last Wednesday, stood before lawmakers to present the Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity. Some may wonder why the country needs “Restoration” when the previous budget promised “Renewed Hope.” It suggests an admission that the earlier optimism has been battered by reality, prompting a shift to recovery mode. But that’s a discussion for another day.
Before Tinubu spoke, Senate President Godswill Akpabio warmed up the room. For the 18 minutes that he spoke, Akpabio doubled as Tinubu’s hype man. He even said, thanks to Tinubu’s leadership, Abuja now resembles London.
Doubt his hype? Listen to this excerpt from his welcome address: “Notably, your infrastructure renaissance has paved the way for many roads, including the coastal road, a crucial artery in Abuja, the capital city. Imagine Abuja now looking almost like London. Another round of applause for Mr President.”
Lawmakers clapped gleefully, like kids awaiting Capri-Sun! Akpabio’s light-hearted delivery and humour hinted at a past life as an MC.
He also praised Tinubu’s economic milestones before adding, “Nigerians are taking note of all your remarkable achievements, Sir. You may not notice because the Villa is very lonely.”
Though Tinubu didn’t respond, he nodded approvingly. It’s no surprise that he headed straight for Lagos after presenting the N47.9tn budget.
He capped the projected revenue at N34.82tn, the deficit at N13.08tn (approximately 3.89 per cent of GDP), and N15.81tn for debt servicing. The budget prioritised several key sectors, such as defence and security (N4.91tn), infrastructure (N4.06tn), education (N3.52tn), and health (N2.48tn).
Thanks to Akpabio’s sweet talk, Tinubu humorously prophesied that all members of the 10th National Assembly would be re-elected into the 11th.
From his speech, the President’s roadmap for the country appears clear. However, the next 12 months will tell if he recited a poem or presented a budget.
I could dwell on Akpabio’s performance at the “budget presentation concert,” but time is short. While Akpabio hyped away, Tinubu’s body remained present, but his mind had long arrived in Lagos.
The President gets homesick again
Throughout history, leaders have sought refuge from the pressures of power in secluded retreats, using these escapes to recharge and reconnect with their human side. Former US President Ronald Reagan often retreated to his California ranch. Vladimir Putin found solace in the Siberian forests, Tiberius withdrew to Capri to escape political turmoil, and Alexander the Great built replicas of Greek cities to ease his nostalgia during conquests.
History is replete with examples pointing to one enduring phenomenon: seats of power often feel like prisons to their leaders. To Akpabio’s credit, the Aso Rock Presidential Villa can be pretty lonely. Else, why did President Muhammadu Buhari often escape to his Daura hometown at the slightest chance?
This is a plausible reason why President Tinubu has not spent multiple-day holidays in the white and green house. I can bet he lives in the Villa out of necessity. It took him months to move in after assuming office.
So, on major holidays like Christmas and New Year, like birds on seasonal migration, Tinubu leads his team far from the seat of power to catch another glimpse of Lagos. If Lagos wouldn’t cut it, Paris is not far.
For his predecessor, Buhari, it was Daura. And if Daura couldn’t offer the needed rest, London would.
When the President departed for Lagos again, I knew the monkeys and peacocks in the Villa would have free reign for days due to lessened human and vehicular traffic.
Typically, most political and business bigwigs residing in Abuja would temporarily relocate to Lagos. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, hinted at this in his vote of thanks last Wednesday when he openly told the President, “We will meet you in Lagos.”
Close allies in Lagos would not need to travel to see the President, who has come to their doorstep. Aside from those who make it to the news, other private visitors who do not frequent Abuja wait for such an opportunity. I call them the patient vultures. Beyond the handshakes, photo ops, and small talk, the truth remains: most presidential guests come to mark an unseen register.