JUST IN!! Netizen go memory lane exhumed Tinubu's old statement "I don't believe in one Nigeria"*

“I Don’t Believe in One Nigeria”: Netizens React as Tinubu’s Old Quote Resurfaces

Social media platforms have erupted in debate following the resurfacing of a controversial quote allegedly made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which he reportedly said: “I don’t believe in one Nigeria.”

The quote, believed to date back to the 1990s or early 2000s during Tinubu’s exile days as a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has stirred emotions and sparked fresh political discourse among Nigerians online.

While some users expressed shock and dismay, others argued for historical context, saying the statement was made during a period of national crisis under military dictatorship.

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🔥 Top Reactions on Social Media

@NaijaObserver:
"How can someone who once said he doesn’t believe in one Nigeria now be president of that same Nigeria? Strange times!"

@OgaPolicy:
"Let’s be honest — the Nigeria of the '90s was falling apart. People said worse things in frustration. Context is important!"

@TheConscienceNG:
"This quote is being weaponized politically. We need to separate youthful activism from presidential responsibility."

@YemiSpeaks:
"Tinubu was a NADECO voice against injustice. Quoting him out of context to score cheap political points is dishonest."

@ZikoraWrites:
"Nigeria needs healing, not reminders of when our leaders themselves gave up on her. This quote is damning, even in hindsight."

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⚖️ Mixed Sentiments

The quote has polarized public opinion:

• Critics say it shows deep hypocrisy and raises questions about Tinubu’s ideological consistency.
• Supporters argue it reflects a past frustration and should not be used to discredit his present commitment to unity.

A user simply wrote:

“Even Mandela once said controversial things in his early days. People evolve.”

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🧠 Context Matters

At the time of the statement, Tinubu was in exile, opposing General Sani Abacha’s regime. Many believe it was more a cry for restructuring and justice than a literal call for secession. Still, in today’s hyper-political climate, netizens are not letting it slide.

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📌 Conclusion

As Nigerians continue to dissect the statement, one thing is clear — in the digital age, past words never die, and leaders will always be held accountable not only for what they say in office but what they once believed.