The Importance of Fact-Based Criticism in Democracy
Democracy thrives when public officials and governments are held accountable. Criticism is essential, but it must be grounded in facts, consistency, and intellectual honesty to have any meaningful value. When criticism devolves into mere noise or political propaganda, it loses its purpose and can even harm the democratic process.
This is why a recent commentary by Mobolaji Sanusi, a former head of the Lagos State Advertising Agency, warrants attention. It is not that every political opinion needs a response, but rather that misleading narratives must be challenged before they become accepted as truth. Sanusi’s attempt to undermine Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s record while promoting his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, falls into this category.
Sanusi doubled down on his argument after many Lagosians rejected his initial claims, which were seen as baseless. His second attempt was described as “absolute twaddle” and reflected a broader trend of political short-sightedness and disregard for observable facts. The contradictions in his argument are glaring, and they reveal a lack of commitment to factual accuracy.
Lagos’s Achievements Over the Past Seven Years
Lagos has undergone significant transformation over the past seven years, with numerous infrastructure and governance projects that have had a tangible impact on residents’ lives. The Blue Rail Line, once just a promise, is now operational, followed by the Red Rail Line. These developments have improved mobility across the city.
Road networks have been expanded and rehabilitated, housing projects have been delivered, healthcare infrastructure has improved, and digital governance initiatives have grown. Environmental interventions have also intensified, and institutional reforms have enhanced public service delivery.
One of the most visible examples of this transformation is the redevelopment of the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle. What was once a symbol of neglect has now become one of the largest and most modern public education facilities in Nigeria, perhaps the first of its kind in Africa in terms of student population and size. The project includes modern classrooms, ICT centers, science laboratories, robotics hubs, vocational training facilities, sporting infrastructure, and dedicated facilities for persons living with disabilities.
These are not just political slogans; they are real achievements. Independent assessments, such as the 2025 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index, have recognized Lagos as Nigeria’s highest-performing state, awarding it a five-star rating based on measurable indicators like governance, infrastructure, healthcare, education, economic management, and service delivery.
The Contradictions in Sanusi’s Argument
Sanusi’s argument attempts to deny these achievements, which are evident to both residents and visitors. While no administration is perfect, acknowledging challenges does not require dismissing the progress made. However, Sanusi’s narrative seeks to do exactly that, all while elevating Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as a potential beneficiary of the government’s failures.
This is where the greatest contradiction lies. Hamzat has been a key figure in the administration, participating in policy formulation and implementation. If the administration deserves credit for its achievements, Hamzat shares in that credit. Similarly, if the administration faces criticism, he cannot be insulated from responsibility. Sanusi’s position is politically convenient but intellectually unsustainable.
More importantly, it is strategically reckless. The timing of this rhetoric raises questions about political judgment, especially given the current challenges facing the All Progressives Congress (APC). Citizens across Nigeria are grappling with economic hardship and social frustrations, and much of the frustration is directed at the ruling party.
The Lessons from the 2023 Elections
The 2023 elections delivered a sobering lesson: public sentiment matters, and voter frustration cannot be ignored. Lagos, long considered an APC stronghold, experienced one of the most contested electoral cycles in its history. This signals a shift in political dynamics and underscores the need for the APC to reconnect with voters.
At a time when the APC requires credible examples of governance performance to regain public trust, Sanusi’s intervention appears to undermine one of the party’s strongest assets. The administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu has delivered tangible results, including the completion of the Blue and Red Rail Lines, which represent a transformational achievement that previous administrations could not fully deliver.
Beyond transportation, the administration has achieved notable milestones, including being the only five-star state in the 2025 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index. Lagos remains Nigeria’s leading technology and innovation hub, the nation’s economic nerve center, and a leader in internally generated revenue.
The Need for Political Accountability
Politics is ultimately about evidence. Political parties win elections by demonstrating competence and delivering results. In Lagos, Sanwo-Olu’s administration provides precisely such evidence. The achievements of the administration are not just personal victories; they are political assets for the APC itself.
Any politically astute stakeholder should be concerned by attempts to trivialize these accomplishments. The lesson of 2023 should not be forgotten: attacking one’s own successes rarely benefits a political party. It weakens electoral prospects and erodes the political capital built over years of performance.
Sanusi’s intervention becomes more than flawed analysis; it is an example of political carelessness that can damage both the party he claims to support and the individuals he seeks to promote. The irony is that his argument ultimately harms Hamzat as much as it targets Sanwo-Olu.
Lagosians are capable of forming their own judgments. They see the roads, trains, schools, hospitals, and public infrastructure projects that have emerged over the last seven years. They understand that challenges remain, but they do not require commentary that asks them to disregard observable realities.
Criticism remains essential to democracy, but distortion does not. Sanusi’s intervention deserves to be recognized for what it is: a disingenuous attempt to rewrite a record that remains visible across Lagos for anyone willing to look. As public frustration continues to test the fortunes of the APC nationally, the party’s path forward lies in defending and building upon its strongest examples of governance performance.
