IS JAGABAN A GROSSLY UNDERRATED TRUE FEDERATION CRUSADER? An Impartial Look at President Tinubu and His Undeclared “Legbe Legbe” Crusade to Make Nigeria a True Federation

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IS JAGABAN A GROSSLY UNDERRATED TRUE FEDERATION CRUSADER? An Impartial Look at President Tinubu and His Undeclared “Legbe Legbe” Crusade to Make Nigeria a True Federation — Despite the Constitutional Limitations

By Dr. Ope Banwo (aka The Mayor of Fadeyi — where common sense is not so common)

Forget the agbada. Forget the folksy swagger. Forget even the bullion van jokes for a moment.

Let’s talk about something President Bola Ahmed Tinubu doesn’t get nearly enough credit for—his slow, steady, “Legbe Legbe” and surprisingly strategic federalist fire. While other presidents shouted “restructuring” from rooftops and did absolutely nada, this man is out here federalizing Nigeria one sneaky Legbe Legbe move at a time—and you didn’t even notice.

I know, I know. Tinubu’s not exactly Mr. Trustworthy in the eyes of many. But sometimes, the guy you least expect might just be the one doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.

Before I am accused of being cornified the fact of the matter is facts will Trump poltical spin any day

So let’s break it down, shall we?

🔥 9 Quietly Dangerous Federalist Moves by Jagaban That You Probably Missed

1. He Gave Power to the People — Literally!

When Tinubu signed the 2023 Electricity Act, he basically whispered: “Oya, states, go generate your own light.”

For the first time in over 60 years, Lagos, Edo and co. don’t have to beg Abuja to power up. States now have the constitutional right to handle their own power business. No press conference, no dancing senator. Just vibes—and electricity.

Jagaban didn’t just flip a switch. He unplugged the old system and handed states their own fuse box.

2. Zonal Dev Commissions: Nigeria Finally Stops Pretending We’re All One Big Family

Forget those token regional talks. Tinubu pulled the real trigger by creating and funding development commissions for all six geopolitical zones—South-East, South-South, South-West, North-East, North-West, and North-Central. And yes, with actual budgets.

For the first time, Abuja said: “Here’s money. Go fix your zone.” That’s not unity. That’s realistic marriage counseling.

3. VAT Wahala? Jagaban Says: “Let States Chop Where They Work”

The ongoing VAT restructuring conversation under his watch is saying, “You make the money? You keep more of it.”

It’s not popular in every zone, but it’s called economic justice. No more carrying states that behave like that one cousin who lives in your house and never buys fuel.

Jagaban is basically saying: “If you can grind, you can dine.” That’s fiscal federalism 101.

4. Aviation College Goes Regional – Wings Without Borders

Instead of ballooning federal institutions in Abuja, Tinubu broke up the Nigerian College of Aviation Tech into zonal campuses, bringing aviation education to every corner of Naija.

Now every zone gets a chance to learn how to fly—and maybe crash less. 🛫

5. Supreme Court Said LGs Are Not Houseboys – Tinubu Didn’t Block It

When the Supreme Court ruled that local governments should have direct access to funds—no more greedy governors playing landlord—Jagaban didn’t fight it. He respected it.

That’s a serious flex in a country where leaders often ignore court orders like WhatsApp DMs from exes.

6. State Policing? The Door is Open – Enter if You’re Serious

Instead of playing central strongman, Tinubu has been giving his blessing to constitutional talks around state policing, judicial autonomy, and devolution.

He didn’t bring the megaphone, but he brought the mat. And he’s saying, “Oya, let’s sit down and talk.”

7. Health for the Hood: States Get Their Own Slice

Through healthcare reform, primary health centers are now being managed with funds sent directly to the states via the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

Federal might is now helping babies breathe in villages instead of choking on bureaucracy in Abuja.

8. Consumer Credit for the Common Man — But States Take the Lead

Through the new National Credit Scheme, Tinubu is encouraging financial independence, but he’s letting states handle the on-ground hustle.

That’s federalism with a flair—Tinubu didn’t give you fish. He gave your state a fishing line and a loan.

9. More Money, Less Micro-Managing

Federal allocations to states have gone up, and Tinubu isn’t trying to be their boss. No micromanagement, just macro-collaboration.

He gave them the budget, the mic, and said: “Don’t disgrace me.” Now that’s some boss energy.

🚧 But Wait — Why Don’t People See All This?

Now before you erect a federalist statue in Jagaban’s honor, let’s balance the praise with the reasons why people still don’t trust the man to decentralize plantain, talk less of power:

 

❌ 1. Mr. Godfather General

Lagos still calls him “Baba Isale” for a reason. If he likes decentralization so much, why is the center of Lagos politics still sitting on his lap?

❌ 2. Federal Appointments? Looks Like a Family & Friends Plan

Let’s be real. Some of these appointments have made Nigerians ask if the federal character principle was deleted from the Constitution—or just muted.

❌ 3. That Rivers State Drama

Emergency rule in Rivers? Bro… that felt like taking a sledgehammer to kill a mosquito. Not very “true federalism” vibes.

❌ 4. Resource Control? Still a Taboo

Niger Delta folks still haven’t seen the resource control they’ve been chanting for since Jonathan left Aso Rock. Tinubu hasn’t touched that Pandora’s box yet.

❌ 5. Too Smart for His Own Good?

Some Nigerians think his moves are 4D chess—not about federalism, but about controlling power from the back end. You can decentralize and still puppet-master, after all.

 

🎤 Final Thoughts from the Mayor of Fadeyi

Listen, I’m not here to baptize Jagaban in holy water. The man has flaws—a whole catalogue of them. But if we’re keeping it real, he’s done more in one year to nudge Nigeria toward true federalism than any president since 1999.

He didn’t grandstand. He didn’t call a press conference every 3 days to “announce progress.”

He just opened the taps—and let the states fetch their own buckets.

Is he a saint? No.

Is he a schemer? Maybe.

But when it comes to turning Nigeria into a working federation, Tinubu might just be the accidental hero we needed… even if we don’t like the packaging.

🧢 Dr Ope Banwo, Mayor of Fadeyi and Founder, Naija Lives Matter

Where the street meets common sense unbiased analysis, and the truth comes served with hot pepper soup.