The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has criticised President Bola Tinubu, claiming he focuses more on personal glorification than on solving Nigeria’s pressing problems.
In a statement released on Wednesday, CUPP’s National Secretary, Peter Ameh, faulted the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for spending N39 billion on the renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja. Following the renovation, the centre was renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Ameh said the move reflects misplaced priorities, especially when critical sectors like education and healthcare remain neglected. He compared it to 1991, when General Ibrahim Babangida built the ICC for N240 million without naming it after himself.
“Instead of solving urgent issues, President Tinubu appears more interested in attaching his name to public properties,” Ameh stated. “This shows a worrying shift from leadership to personal branding.”
The coalition also cited other renamed projects: the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal Polytechnic. According to CUPP, these examples form a pattern of using national assets for political self-promotion.
Moreover, CUPP argued that the N39 billion could have built a brand-new, world-class facility. Instead, the government chose to repaint and rename an existing structure. Meanwhile, thousands of schoolchildren in the FCT remain out of school due to underfunding. Many Primary Healthcare Centres have stopped operating because of unpaid wages and prolonged staff strikes.
CUPP Demands Accountability and Refocus
CUPP urged the government to redirect resources to solve real problems. “We cannot continue to neglect education, healthcare, and local infrastructure while building monuments to one man’s name,” Ameh said.
He also warned that rising inflation, job losses, and insecurity continue to weigh heavily on Nigerians. “We need solutions, not statues. Public office should serve the people, not feed personal ambition.”
The coalition called for an immediate investigation into the ICC renovation costs. It also asked President Tinubu to invest in impactful projects, like functional schools, quality hospitals, and job-creating industries.
“Legacy is earned through service and results, not through renaming public property,” CUPP concluded. “The time has come to shift focus from self-glorification to real nation-building.”
