Concerns have been raised over the quality of leadership produced by democratic systems, as modern politics increasingly rewards popularity and emotional appeal over competence and technical expertise.

This submission was made by Bamidele Atoyebi, convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group, while speaking on the philosophical skepticism of Socrates to frame his argument, warning that democracy risks becoming “a ship steered by the loudest voices rather than the most skilled navigators.”

At the heart of his critique is what he describes as an “equal voice paradox,” where both informed and uninformed voters wield the same electoral power.

According to him, this dynamic creates an environment where persuasive rhetoric often triumphs over demonstrable expertise, allowing less qualified individuals to ascend to leadership positions.

Atoyebi likened governance to specialised professions such as medicine and law, where competence is non-negotiable. “In emergencies, society turns to experts,” he argued, “yet at the ballot box, that logic is frequently abandoned.”

He further criticized the rise of what he termed “baby politicians”—a new wave of actors driven by social media influence rather than political experience or institutional knowledge.

These individuals, he said, capitalise on online popularity and public sentiment despite lacking a verifiable track record in governance.

The commentator illustrated his concerns with a personal encounter at a government agency, where a staff member wearing a campaign emblem of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was confronted and mocked by colleagues over economic conditions. Atoyebi described intervening to defend the individual’s right to political expression, calling the incident reflective of declining tolerance and informed engagement in political discourse.

Turning to leadership comparisons, Atoyebi contrasted the professional and academic backgrounds of Tinubu and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi. He argued that Tinubu’s training in accountancy and experience as a corporate auditor provided a stronger foundation for fiscal management, while Obi’s academic background in philosophy, though intellectually valuable, may not directly translate to economic governance.

Assessing governance records, Atoyebi pointed to Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos State, crediting him with transforming the state into a major economic hub. In contrast, he criticised Obi’s administration in Anambra State, citing issues such as labour unrest, absence of local government elections, and disputed claims about fiscal legacy.

He referenced statements attributed to Obi’s successor, Willie Obiano, alleging that significant debt obligations were left behind despite public claims of financial prudence.

Atoyebi concluded by advocating for a more structured pathway into politics, drawing parallels with the Eastern apprenticeship model, where individuals undergo rigorous mentorship and gradual progression before assuming leadership roles. He warned that without such discipline, democracy risks becoming a platform where “the salesman overshadows the strategist.”

The opinion underscores an ongoing debate in Nigeria’s political landscape over the balance between mass participation and merit-based leadership, as the country continues to navigate the complexities of democratic governance in the digital age.

Honourable Bamidele Atoyebi, the convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group, also serves as the national coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring PR and a publisher of Unfiltered and Mining reports.