Dr Sam Omale, a Kogi political figure and public commentator, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that some individuals closest to his administration could pose a greater threat to his leadership and legacy than opposition politicians.
In a strongly worded commentary authorised for publication, Omale contended that those chanting “pari-pari”, an expression associated with the belief that it is their turn to benefit from political power could be undermining President Tinubu’s government through ethnic entitlement, sycophancy, nepotism and personal ambition.
Omale specifically mentioned the President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, popularly known as Remi Tinubu, and his son, Seyi Tinubu, while raising concerns about the influence of family interests, ethnic loyalists and self-serving politicians within the corridors of power.
His remarks reflect his personal assessment of the political dynamics surrounding the Presidency.
According to Omale, President Tinubu must distinguish between individuals genuinely committed to his success and those whose primary motivations are political access, personal enrichment and the preservation of influence.
He cautioned that an administration dominated by praise-singers rather than sincere advisers could gradually lose touch with the everyday struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
The Kogi commentator also expressed concern about insecurity, economic hardship and what he described as mounting public dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration. He urged the President to take constructive criticism seriously, strengthen accountability mechanisms and ensure that government policies benefit Nigerians regardless of their ethnic backgrounds or political affiliations.
Drawing on biblical teachings about adversaries emerging from within one’s household, Omale maintained that some of President Tinubu’s most significant political challenges could originate from individuals enjoying privileged access to power rather than from critics who openly oppose his policies.
He emphasised that genuine loyalty involves telling the truth, questioning harmful decisions and placing the national interest above personal ambitions or sectional loyalties. In his view, those who genuinely wish the President well should be willing to offer honest counsel rather than endorse every decision indiscriminately.
Omale further urged President Tinubu to reflect on the legacy he intends to leave behind, arguing that effective leadership should be measured not by the number of loyalists surrounding the Presidency but by tangible improvements in national security, economic prosperity, social justice and citizens’ welfare.
He maintained that President Tinubu still has an opportunity to consolidate his place in Nigerian history by addressing policy shortcomings, embracing constructive dissent and preventing political associates from exploiting their proximity to power at the country’s expense.
Describing his intervention as an expression of patriotic concern, Omale called on the President to scrutinise the motives of those within his inner circle and ensure that loyalty to the administration does not become a justification for political entitlement, undue influence or a lack of accountability.
He concluded that those who applaud President Tinubu most enthusiastically may not necessarily be the individuals best positioned to safeguard his legacy. He therefore urged the President to prioritise candid advice, national cohesion and the welfare of Nigerians over the interests of political loyalists.
