"Stop Dragging Tinubu and Lagos, Face Your Governors and LG Chairmen” – Tacha Tells Nigerians in Fiery Rant

Reality TV star and media personality Anita Natacha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has sparked heated conversations online after delivering a blunt message to Nigerians about accountability and governance. In a recent viral outburst, the outspoken influencer urged citizens to shift their focus from constantly criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State to demanding real action from their own state governors and local government chairmen. According to her, many Nigerians are directing their frustration to the wrong quarters while leaving those directly responsible for grassroots development unchecked.

Tacha, who has never shied away from speaking her mind on issues affecting the nation, stated that the habit of constantly dragging Tinubu, the federal government, and Lagos State for every problem is misplaced. She argued that Nigeria’s development woes will persist if citizens continue ignoring the people who hold the closest political offices to them. Her comments, delivered with her usual unapologetic tone, quickly went viral across social media platforms and generated a flurry of reactions, with some praising her courage while others accused her of deflecting attention from the federal government.

In her message, Tacha emphasized that Nigeria is a federal system where governance is structured into three tiers – federal, state, and local governments – and that each level has specific roles and responsibilities. According to her, while it is easy to point fingers at the President, the real failures in most communities stem from non-performing state governors and dormant local government chairmen who have abandoned their constitutional duties. She expressed frustration that despite receiving federal allocations running into billions of naira, many states still have poor infrastructure, failing health systems, dilapidated schools, and a total lack of empowerment programs for their citizens.

“Instead of always shouting Tinubu this, Tinubu that, why don’t you ask your governors what they have done with the allocations they receive every month? Why don’t you question your local government chairmen about the state of your communities? Lagos is not your problem. Tinubu is not your local government chairman. Hold your leaders accountable where you are,” Tacha fired in her viral statement.

Her bold remarks hit a nerve, especially in the context of the growing disillusionment across the country over the economic hardship Nigerians are grappling with. Since the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira under Tinubu’s administration, inflation has skyrocketed, food prices have hit the roof, and living conditions have worsened. Citizens have directed their anger largely at the President and the federal government, accusing them of policies that have deepened poverty. However, Tacha insists that while it is fair to criticize federal policies, Nigerians must not ignore the dereliction of duty by governors and LG chairmen, many of whom are constitutionally tasked with addressing immediate local needs but have instead turned their offices into centers of corruption and political showmanship.

Her comments come at a time when Lagos State is constantly in the spotlight, often compared to other states in terms of infrastructure and development. Tacha pointed out that while Lagos has its own challenges, it has still managed to stand out in many areas of governance, revenue generation, and innovation, unlike many states that rely heavily on federal allocation without visible results. She noted that the obsession with dragging Lagos online is often politically motivated and distracts from the broader national conversation on accountability.

Social media users quickly jumped on the trending clip, with mixed reactions pouring in. Some hailed Tacha for speaking the truth many are afraid to say, arguing that citizens are quick to rant about the President while living in states where governors are looting funds unchecked. “This girl just hit the nail on the head. My governor has been in office for five years and there’s nothing to show for it. Meanwhile, every day it’s Tinubu this, Tinubu that. Abeg, we need to wake up,” one user commented. Others, however, criticized her for appearing to shield the federal government from blame. “Tacha should stop deceiving people. Tinubu is the head of the government. His policies affect everyone. She should stop trying to sound wise by shifting responsibility,” another user fired back.

Beyond the online reactions, her words raise a fundamental issue about governance in Nigeria. Analysts have repeatedly argued that one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s progress is the culture of over-centralizing blame on the federal government while ignoring the failures of state and local governments. With 36 governors controlling vast resources and 774 local government chairmen constitutionally empowered to drive development at the grassroots, the lack of accountability at these levels has left many Nigerians deprived of basic necessities such as healthcare, good roads, education, and jobs. The outcry against federal leadership often overshadows the gross mismanagement that happens right at the local level.

Tacha’s intervention also highlights the growing role of celebrities in shaping national conversations. With millions of followers across social media platforms, entertainers and influencers like her wield enormous influence in directing public attention. While some argue that celebrities lack the technical expertise to discuss governance, their ability to mobilize the masses cannot be underestimated. In Tacha’s case, her outburst has reignited debates about federalism, fiscal accountability, and the true source of Nigeria’s problems.

Her message resonates strongly in a country where many citizens rarely engage their local representatives. Town hall meetings are poorly attended, state budgets are rarely scrutinized, and local government administration is often the least transparent. By calling attention to this, Tacha has challenged Nigerians to stop the culture of selective outrage and embrace the habit of demanding accountability at every level. If Nigerians can mount the same pressure they put on the President on their governors and local chairmen, the political landscape could shift dramatically.

Despite the controversy her words have sparked, one thing is clear: Tacha has successfully pushed an uncomfortable but necessary conversation back into the spotlight. As the economic situation continues to bite, and as political leaders prepare for future elections, the reminder to hold governors and LG chairmen accountable could not have come at a better time. For many Nigerians, it may be the wake-up call they need to stop dragging leaders in faraway Abuja while ignoring the politicians mismanaging their immediate environment.

Tacha’s fiery declaration may not sit well with everyone, but it has forced Nigerians to confront a hard truth: accountability must start from the ground up. Whether her words will spark a sustained movement of citizens engaging their local leaders remains to be seen, but the conversation has already begun. In a nation where political elites thrive on the ignorance and silence of the masses, her bold statement might just be the nudge needed to change the narrative.