By Ola Asubiojo
The Executive Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Hon. Oluwatuyi Oluwagbenga, popularly known as CHENCO, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a courageous and reform-oriented approach to national governance, arguing that the President’s leadership should be assessed against the difficult realities confronting Nigeria and the long-term objectives of his administration.
Hon. Oluwatuyi, who made the submission on Tuesday, maintained that leadership, particularly at a critical period in a nation’s development, requires courage, strategic thinking, resilience and the willingness to take difficult decisions in pursuit of sustainable progress.
According to him, President Tinubu’s policy direction has generated significant national conversations because meaningful reforms often require leaders to confront longstanding challenges rather than merely preserve the status quo.
The council chairman argued that citizens should assess political leadership beyond partisan sentiments, focusing instead on vision, policy direction, administrative courage, measurable outcomes and the capacity to lay foundations for sustainable development.
He therefore expressed his personal conviction that President Tinubu deserves the opportunity of a second term, stressing that continuity in governance could enable an administration to consolidate, refine and deepen policies whose long-term effects may require time to fully materialise.
Honourable Oluwatuyi further reasoned that democratic governance should not be viewed merely through the prism of immediate political gratification, noting that some reforms may initially impose difficult adjustments before their intended benefits become more visible.
He, however, connected his assessment of the President to the leadership example of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, whom he described as a “Jinx-Breaking Governor” and a remarkable example of political maturity, accessibility, consultation, mentorship and grassroots-oriented governance.
According to him, the relationship between effective leadership at the national and state levels demonstrates the importance of political continuity, constructive engagement, mentorship and institutional stability in advancing development.
The council chairman maintained that Governor Oyebanji’s political disposition offers an important lesson for citizens and emerging political leaders: that loyalty to democratic institutions, respect for diverse opinions, consultation and a commitment to development can coexist with political ambition.
He urged citizens to engage political issues with maturity and to evaluate leaders according to their ideas, programmes, records, administrative capacity and demonstrated commitment to the public interest.
Oluwatuyi particularly emphasised the importance of allowing citizens to make informed political decisions based on a careful assessment of the President’s policies, the Governor’s achievements and the broader developmental interests of their communities.
He noted that political participation should transcend antagonism and personality-driven politics, arguing that constructive criticism, informed engagement and issue-based assessment remain essential ingredients of a healthy democracy.
The chairman also stressed the importance of political mentorship and continuity, observing that societies make sustainable progress when experienced leaders are able to transmit knowledge, values, administrative lessons and democratic principles to succeeding generations.
He described the emerging political relationship between President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji as an opportunity for continued dialogue on how national and sub-national governments can complement one another in addressing developmental challenges.
Hon. Oluwatuyi consequently called for greater political consciousness among citizens, urging them to scrutinise policies, interrogate records, appreciate achievements where they exist and constructively demand improvement where necessary.
He maintained that the ultimate responsibility of democratic citizens is not merely to participate in elections, but to remain informed, vigilant and constructively engaged throughout the political process.
For the Irepodun/Ifelodun council boss, the central lesson from both the Tinubu and Oyebanji leadership narratives is that development requires vision, courage, continuity, mentorship and a willingness to place the collective interest above personal considerations.
He therefore advocated a political culture in which citizens judge leaders by their vision, competence, humanity, administrative capacity and demonstrable commitment to development, rather than by sentiment, hostility or partisan loyalty alone.
