Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's celebration of June 12, stating that it was a diversion from the country's pressing issues.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Saturday, Yusuf argued that Tinubu had no achievements to celebrate after his first year in office and instead exploited the June 12 anniversary.
He said, "Our democracy is very fragile, and democracy needs to be nourished. It's like a flower, it needs to be nourished, it needs to be watered, it needs to be given fertilizer. But our politicians are taking this our democracy, our hard-earned democracy, for granted, just like they are taking Nigerians for granted.
"The ordinary workers' salary cannot pay for shelter, cannot pay for other necessities of life. And here we are celebrating. What do we have to show?
"For me, what I said is, because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had nothing to celebrate after his one-year anniversary, he latched on to the June 12."
Yusuf also commented on the Emirate Tussle in Kano State, calling the timing suspicious and a distraction from Nigeria's real problems.
He reflected on the country's 25-year democratic journey, questioning its impact on citizens' lives. He said that Nigerians are worse off today than in 2003.
Yusuf criticized the government's neglect of democracy and the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, whose salaries cannot cover basic needs.
He urged President Tinubu to acknowledge the country's challenges and do better, rather than celebrating a "failure of democracy."