Coalition Leaders Storm the Regions: Grassroots Mobilization Intensifies as Tinubu’s FG Faces Public Disconnect
By Special Correspondent, Headlinenews.News
> “If the people do not feel the impact of governance, it becomes a matter of time before they start listening to those who promise miracles.”
— Dr. Gloria Fraser, MFR, Governance & Perception Management Consultant.
In a strategic move designed to deepen their regional foothold and capitalize on mounting economic discontent, opposition coalition leaders have begun an aggressive grassroots mobilization campaign across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. From Gombe to Osun, from Bayelsa to Zamfara, coalition figures have taken their message directly to the people, tapping into the growing frustration caused by fuel subsidy removal, currency devaluation, inflation, and the rising cost of living under the ongoing economic reforms of the Tinubu administration.
This regional push by the opposition may not be unexpected—but it is unprecedented in pace, scope, and timing. Analysts suggest it is a carefully calculated attempt to exploit the widening gap between leadership and followership, leveraging the economic pains of reforms as political currency ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Historical Echoes: A Familiar Political Playbook
Nigeria has seen this script before. In the early 1980s, the austerity measures of the Shehu Shagari administration triggered popular unrest that culminated in widespread support for a military takeover. Again in 2012, the Jonathan administration’s abrupt fuel subsidy removal sparked mass protests (Occupy Nigeria), a moment that opposition parties like the then ACN (now part of APC) used effectively to build momentum for 2015.
> “In Nigeria, the economy is always political. If you fail to carry the people along, they will carry their anger to the ballot box.”
— Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO DG (2012 Fuel Subsidy Protests)
Today, under President Bola Tinubu, economic restructuring is underway—but at great social cost. While the IMF and World Bank have applauded Nigeria’s fiscal direction, the average citizen struggles with food prices, transport fares, electricity tariffs, and housing inflation. The challenge is clear: economic logic has not been matched with social empathy.
Grassroots Reality: Who’s Winning the Narrative?
Coalition leaders have seized the narrative, painting APC reforms as “anti-people,” using town hall meetings, local radio, religious gatherings, and market associations to reach the base. These aren’t just political visits—they are psychological penetrations. They tell the masses: “You’ve been forgotten, but we are here.”
> “Power belongs to the people. If the people hurt, we hurt with them. If the government does not hear you, we will.”
— Isa Danlami, Coalition Spokesman, in Borno Townhall (July 3, 2025)
Unlike social media debates among elites, this form of mobilization is visceral, physical, and emotional. Its power lies in its simplicity: empathy versus elitism.
The Disconnect: Followership Feels Forgotten
There is a growing perception among Nigerians that government is talking numbers while citizens are talking survival. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (Q1 2025) shows:
- Food inflation at 39.5%
- Unemployment (expanded rate) at 34.1%
- Transport costs have risen by 61% since subsidy removal
- Electricity tariffs are expected to increase further due to the removal of subsidies
Many citizens report not feeling the positive outcomes promised. “They say GDP is growing, but I can’t afford garri,” lamented a trader in Kogi State.
> “Any government that fails to put faces to figures will eventually lose the faces behind the votes.”
— Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General
What Can the FG and APC Do Now?
To bridge the dangerous disconnect, analysts and perception experts suggest that the Federal Government must temporarily rebalance governance away from hard macroeconomic reforms toward visible people-centered impact.
A few strategic solutions are recommended, we would strongly advise reaching out to the National Patriots for more solutions and perception management options which is now critical for the FG and APC.
Direct Community Relief Programmes
Launch community-level interventions that provide free school meals, subsidized transport vouchers, and mobile health clinics—funded through restructured subsidy savings.
Local Content Infrastructure Projects
Use local artisans, welders, and engineers for federal and state infrastructure projects to generate jobs quickly and visibly. The Eden Irrigation Agropolis Model could be expanded nationally to link agriculture to food and job security.
Engage Religious & Traditional Institutions
Reinstate regular engagement with Emirs, Obas, Clergy, and Civic Societies to convey empathy, explain reforms, and jointly manage community expectations.
Monthly Presidential Townhalls
President Tinubu should host live, rotating, grassroots town halls, allowing the masses to voice concerns and get direct responses. This fosters trust and breaks the perception of a distant presidency.
Expand Technical Education & Work Schemes
Fast-track the rollout of the free technical education initiative and link it to private sector job creation. Use platforms like N-Power, NALDA, and digital hubs to recruit youth into vocational sectors.
Conclusion: The Window Is Closing
If President Tinubu and the APC wish to preserve political capital and avoid being outflanked by opposition forces, they must pivot toward perception and people without halting economic reforms. Leadership must be visible, empathetic, and people-driven—especially in hardship.
> “A government must not only be doing good; it must also be seen, heard, and felt to be doing good.”
— President Paul Kagame of Rwanda
The opposition understands that the streets win elections—not spreadsheets. It’s time the ruling party reconnected with that basic truth.
Key Quotes for Perspective
Dr. G. Fraser, MFR: “The real battle for Nigeria’s future is not in the economy—it’s in the hearts of the people.”
Nelson Mandela: “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
IMF Country Report (2025): “Nigeria’s reforms are critical—but must be accompanied by adequate social protection buffers.”
UN SG António Guterres: “Inclusive governance is the bedrock of stable democracies in times of economic transition.”
World Bank (2025): “Human capital investment must match fiscal restructuring for meaningful impact.”
Headlinenews.news Special report.
COMMENTARY
“Hearts Before Headlines: Why Tinubu’s APC Must Win Back the People Before the Opposition Does”.
Whatever it takes, it’s time now for Tinubu to reach out to his original constituency which is the grassroot.
Ashiwaju has always been a grassroot politician and understands the dynamics. True that he trained so many people and some have bared their fangs on him like Aregbe unfortunately.
Betrayal hurts and Tinubu is right to be hurt and keep his distance from such untrustworthy characters. Same for El- Rufai who have benefitted immensely from Tinubu’s generosity. Can anyone of them publicly declare how much they have collected from Tinubu before he decided to keep his distance from their treachery? Their hands are dirty which is why they will always fail with their attempt to denigrate his government. With the right approach, Tinubu shall be victorious. He needs a PM expert immediately to offer some damage control solutions for the short & medium term.
Nigerians may even turn around to be aggressive to these coalition promoters as the majority of the masses don’t trust politicians anymore.
Don’t be surprised if the opposition gets beaten up during their grassroot mobilization. They are all recycled Politicians.
What did they do for their constituencies when they were in power? Nothing. They will be slapped and stoned. Ole.
That’s possible.
Mohammed Adamu.
Forex trader.
“The Streets Are Listening: Coalition Leaders Tap Public Discontent as FG Faces Perception Crisis”
Yes, they are banking on the fact that the public majority are not happy with President Tinubu’s government. I read the Headlinenews.news survey put it at 88% unhappy people.
This calls for urgent action. I know the government has been trying to address this, but it is not being done correctly by experts. It’s interesting that President Tinubu during his recent visit to Benue admitted to the people that he knows Nigerians hate him. That’s surprising.
I don’t know if he realises he must do something about it immediately and not wait till next year because once people take a position it’s always a challenge getting them away from that position. He needs to change his strategy to people-focused governance immediately.
“Leadership Without Touch: Why the APC Must Reconnect with the Grassroots to Survive 2025”.
In the days of Shagari, the government appointed Presidential Liaison Officers to ensure that the disconnect between leadership and followership is reduced or eliminated. The National Patriots has been proposing this to President Tinubu through the SGF for consideration according to reports I read. This singular project will go a long way to address this perception crisis. The community aides appointed by the President, with due respect, are ineffective and cannot address this crisis. Even if PLO will be considered, it must be directly selected by the head of the Perception Management project. They need to fit certain criteria.
President Tinubu has much work to do to get the right persons to address this crisis successfully.
I will continue to pray for him and wish him well. If he acts fast and correctly, he will succeed by God’s grace. Amen.
–Pastor Joshua
*“Power and Perception: As Opposition Moves to the People, Can Tinubu’s Government Catch Up?”.
Tinubu is a strategist and should know when to open up to inject new resource people into his team. It’s now important that he reduces the disconnect between the followership and leadership. Unfortunately, he can’t send people around to sensitise the masses the way the opposition is doing. The opposition members are not in power so the people will not molest them. However, any other party going to sensitize the people on behalf of the Federal government should do this in a strategic way. It’s important to commence a perception management project immediately before any step is taken.
The Federal Government should also embark on short term projects which will provide visible results which the people can identify with and benefit from. They need to reach the National Patriots for more result oriented options. President must act immediately to neutralize the impact of the opposition coalition in the grassroot. APC should be mobilized to expand their structure with canvassers and foot soldiers. All APC wards must start their canvassing now with a centrally designed strategy which will give a difference to the perception crisis.
Elder Statesman.
*“Between Reform and Reality: Coalition Exploits Hardship as FG Risks Losing Public Trust”
If the FG can swing into action immediately, there are damage control measures that could address this coalition’s grassroots propaganda. The President needs to get some new hands to make a difference in the governance, focus on people-centric and build public trust. Tinubu is a smart man and I trust he will act fast. It’s important to get someone who knows what he or she is doing, not some jokers who will just collect money and no result. The APC Must not do siddon look while the opposition coalition is crawling all over the grassroot and region.
Retired Army General.
*“Disconnect and Discontent: The Battle for the Grassroots in Tinubu’s Nigeria “.
Unfortunately, despite Tinubu’s outstanding performance, the government has not focused on the people’s condition as expected. Nigeria’s FG is currently experiencing a perception crisis which experts like Dr. Fraser has warned about for years. Jonathan, Buhari experienced the sane Perception crisis where the people are not aware of their Leaders’ achievements. Nigerians Leaders do not understand this and think it is PR. No. It’s not a media practitioners job. I know of Dr. Fraser as a Perception management expert but I can’t say any other Nigerian is in this highly sensitive profession. Tinubu’s government is suffering from a perception crisis and needs to address it immediately before the opposition use it against him.
We must be proactive not reactive. It’s time to act. They should contact the National Patriots soonest.
Prof. Olawale.
