I think the real issue may be language not the absence of the skill. He is incredibly articulate and convincing when speaking in his first language, as are many of the successful politicians across the country.
Agreed. I guess it says something that national politicians don’t feel the need to invest in national communications (you can always do deals to get past that)
The fuel subsidy example is apt. If sweet-talking was a tool in the political class' box, they would have convinced Nigerians that removing fuel subsidies was smart through cost-cutting measures across all facets of government. However, they believe they have the authority to act without checks and so they implement policies without a care for public opinion.
On the citizen side, it seems most Nigerians are satisfied with this type of leadership. There's hardly any pushback against autocratic decision-making unless the masses are riled up by the opposition. But the Nigerian citizenry hardly ever takes the initiative to push against it. It probably stems from the 500 years of military rule and how it has framed the expectation of patriotic behaviour.
Very correct. Tinubu felt all that was enough was for him to declare "subsidy is gone" during his inauguration speech and everyone can go figure out the rest.
I think the real issue may be language not the absence of the skill. He is incredibly articulate and convincing when speaking in his first language, as are many of the successful politicians across the country.
Agreed. I guess it says something that national politicians don’t feel the need to invest in national communications (you can always do deals to get past that)
Yeah, also probably more efficient to rely on local leaders who speak the language of the people on the ground incredibly well.
Will you say that Peter Obi managed some of this in the last election?
A lot of his support, especially among young people, will be because of what, according to you here, could be termed sweet talk proficiency.
I can't remember the last Nigerian Politician that's managed to generate this much enthusiasm and support through the sheer use of rhetoric.
Yes, to be fair to him he did. He does have a good speaking manner in public in that he talks to people and not *at* them
The fuel subsidy example is apt. If sweet-talking was a tool in the political class' box, they would have convinced Nigerians that removing fuel subsidies was smart through cost-cutting measures across all facets of government. However, they believe they have the authority to act without checks and so they implement policies without a care for public opinion.
On the citizen side, it seems most Nigerians are satisfied with this type of leadership. There's hardly any pushback against autocratic decision-making unless the masses are riled up by the opposition. But the Nigerian citizenry hardly ever takes the initiative to push against it. It probably stems from the 500 years of military rule and how it has framed the expectation of patriotic behaviour.
Very correct. Tinubu felt all that was enough was for him to declare "subsidy is gone" during his inauguration speech and everyone can go figure out the rest.
"A lot of bad ideas about the economy circulate freely among Nigerians..."
Remember Audu Ogbeh eloquently saying rubbish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyLlii1WDjA
"Once you see it, you can’t unsee it."