Criticising President Tinubu Doesn’t Mean I Hate Him-Ope Banwo
Founder of the Naija Lives Matter movement, Dr.Ope Banwo, has urged Nigerians not to mistake his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration for hatred, insisting that his role as a social critic is to hold leaders accountable and encourage better governance.
Banwo, a lawyer, public affairs commentator and advocate for good governance, said constructive criticism is an essential part of any democracy and should not be interpreted as a personal attack on those in power.
Addressing what he described as a growing misconception about his public comments on the Tinubu administration, Banwo said: “Don’t assume I hate Tinubu because I criticize his government. I am a social critic. It’s my job to criticize him to do better.”
He added: “It’s Tinubu’s job to govern well. Let everyone abide in their calling.”
According to Banwo, criticism should be seen as a contribution to nation-building rather than an expression of political bias or personal hostility. He stressed that elected officials should be open to scrutiny, noting that accountability is one of the pillars of democratic governance.
The Naija Lives Matter founder said his interventions are motivated by a desire to see Nigeria become a nation where government policies improve the lives of citizens and public institutions function more effectively.
Banwo has consistently used his platform to advocate for reforms aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and responsible leadership. Through Naija Lives Matter, he has repeatedly called on governments at all levels to place the welfare of Nigerians above political interests and to implement policies capable of addressing the country’s economic and social challenges.
In recent months, he has commented on a number of national issues, including governance, economic reforms, judicial accountability and anti-corruption efforts. While some of his views have generated public debate, Banwo has maintained that his comments are driven by patriotism and a commitment to seeing Nigeria succeed.
He reiterated that citizens have a responsibility to speak truth to power, while those entrusted with public office have a duty to deliver good governance.
Banwo said a healthy democracy thrives when citizens can express constructive opinions without being labelled enemies of the government, adding that criticism, when offered in good faith, should be embraced as an opportunity to improve governance rather than resisted.
