They called him the most courageous president Nigeria ever had. They said his boldness was unmatched, his will unbending, his courage legendary. From his first day in office, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was hailed as the “lion of reform,” the man with the liver to do what no mortal dared — even if it meant frying the poor in the oil of his policies. His data boys and girls sang his name like a national anthem, flooding social media with tales of “renewed hope” while ordinary Nigerians renewed their hunger and hopelessness.
When Tinubu threatened to invade Niger Republic in 2023, his fans clapped and danced like extras in a propaganda movie. They called it courage, hailed him as Africa’s iron man, and declared Nigeria’s readiness for war even when soldiers lacked bullets and citizens lacked bread. The same people who cannot survive the chaos in their own streets were suddenly cheering for a continental crusade. In the end, the invasion never happened — not because of diplomacy, but because reality caught up with delusion.
Then came the arrests — children, minors, teenagers, even harmless protesters dragged into custody, some charged with treason for daring to complain. Tinubu’s disciples, those digital apostles of deceit, flooded the internet with applause. “That’s our courageous president,” they said. “Only bold leaders can tame rebellion!” In their world, arresting the hungry became governance; crushing dissent became bravery; and dictatorship was rebranded as discipline.
When Tinubu approved a 15 percent surcharge on petroleum in October 2025 — after removing fuel subsidy and driving 50 million Nigerians into multidimensional poverty — the same chorus erupted. “Wow! What a man! It only takes courage to act like Superman!” they wrote, as though courage was the art of breaking backs in slow motion. While market women fainted from hunger and commuters trekked miles to work, the data boys trended hashtags like #RenewedCourage and #TinubuTheBrave.
But now that Donald Trump’s searchlight has turned toward Nigeria — accusing Tinubu’s government of genocide and threatening to act — the so-called courageous camp has lost its voice. The same men who once roared like lions have suddenly become motivational speakers, preaching unity and patriotism, begging Nigerians to rally around a government that is starving them, choking them, and killing them softly with policy.
Their timelines are now filled with hashtags of fear — #StandWithGovernment, #PrayForNigeria, #WeAreOne. The fire of arrogance has been quenched by the cold reality of global exposure. Tinubu’s ministers are hiding behind statements; his aides are recycling excuses; his online generals have formatted to factory settings. The emperor is naked, and his choir now sings in whispers.
So, Mr. President, where is thy courage? The same courage that removed subsidy, the courage that taxed the poor, the courage that jailed minors, the courage that wanted war — where is it now that the world is watching? Courage is not measured by how many citizens you silence or how many policies you impose. True courage is facing the truth — and that, Mr. President, is one fight you’ve never dared.