Timi Frank, a former high-ranking official in Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has unleashed a fiery critique of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), calling it a “national disgrace” and a major factor in the recent withdrawal of three member states.
Frank, who served as Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, blames Tinubu’s “ineffectual” and “neglectful” approach for the disintegration of the 15-member regional bloc. He points to the recent departure of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, who formed their own “Alliance of Sahel States” last Sunday, as a direct consequence of Tinubu’s “hardline stance” and failed attempts at “effective dialogue.”
“Whether Tinubu likes it or not, he met the 15-member group intact when he took over in July 2023,” Frank declared in a statement. “But history will record that things fell apart during his ineffectual stewardship in less than seven months.”
Frank further criticizes Tinubu’s leadership within Nigeria, accusing him of a lack of empathy for the suffering of Nigerians and poor handling of the economy. He cites the devaluation of the naira, removal of fuel subsidies, and rising insecurity as evidence of Tinubu’s missteps.
“Tinubu has introduced regionalism into the governance of Nigeria,” Frank alleges, further accusing him of attempting to move the nation’s capital back to Lagos through the relocation of key government agencies.
Frank’s scathing critique culminates in a call for Tinubu to “retrace his hasty steps” and consider resigning from both his ECOWAS chairmanship and the Nigerian presidency. He suggests that Tinubu seek guidance from former Nigerian presidents who also led ECOWAS, implying a lack of experience and competence in the current leadership.
