Nigerians react as governor names new road after Seyi Tinubu

The Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, has come under public criticism for naming a road in the state after Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.

The road formerly called “Pepsi Road” was supposed to be commissioned on Jun 3 by Katsina state governor, Umaru Dikko Radda, but was postponed.

On Saturday, a photo of the renamed road, “Seyi Ahmed Bola Tinubu Road,” went viral on social media, ahead of its rescheduled commissioning which date is yet to be announced.

A resident said the governor did not have a basis for the decision since Mr Tinubu has not played any worthy role of commemoration in Sokoto or Nigeria at large.

“The governor left many illustrious indigenes of Sokoto and instead named a road after the president’s son who is not even from Sokoto or anywhere in the northern region,” a resident, Salisu Ahmadu, told Peoples Gazette on Saturday afternoon.

Sharing a photo of the newly rechristened road, an X user, @UncleAnass said, “This is how @Ahmedaliyuskt is denigrating the name of Sokoto with his lack of capacity and sheepishness. Imagine naming a road after Seyi Tinubu. Not even the Tinubu self. Mtschew. This is so denigrating. This is really pathetic. Allah ya isa.”

Another X user, Heinz_Gunner, said “Road to North Korea. This is how it begins!!,” while @jnraib2 said “Even Lagos didn’t name a road after Seyi Tinubu, but Sokoto governor must impress Tinubu.”

@AsIngawa001 said “Seyi Tinubu road in Sokoto State stands as a testament to Nigeria’s practice of celebrating individuals with little or no contribution to the country’s progress.”

Abubakar Bawa, spokesperson for Sokoto governor, could not be immediately reached for comments.

Though Mr Tinubu holds no official position in his father’s government, he appears influential in the APC as he has been on his father’s entourage on foreign trips.

Mr Tinubu was barred from attending the Federal Executive Council meeting a few months ago.