By Bilesanmi Abayomi
A public exchange has erupted following comments by Dr. Charles Apoki regarding his granddaughter’s recent surgery, drawing a sharp response from Comrade Olayiwola Sulyman, popularly known as Opomulero.
Dr. Apoki, in a social media post, recounted how his granddaughter, Sofia, was born with an extra finger which was recently corrected through surgery abroad. He attributed the smooth medical intervention to what he described as effective state services outside Nigeria, contrasting the experience with conditions in the country.
Reflecting on the incident, Apoki argued that systemic failures in Nigeria often shape the tone of public commentary by religious leaders and citizens. He also cited Romania’s low violent crime rate as an example of what functional state structures can achieve, recounting how emergency medical services promptly responded when his grandson Luca experienced indigestion as a newborn.
The post triggered reactions online, including a strongly worded letter to KosofePost from Opomulero, who thanked the publisher, Bilesanmi Abayomi (Koko), for sharing the article but questioned what he described as the limited engagement it received.
Opomulero criticised political loyalists across party lines, alleging that many supporters are more focused on welfare distributions than on demanding systemic reforms. He described Nigeria’s medical system as severely challenged and raised concerns about the state of policing and governance.
While critical of many political actors, he singled out Dele Osinowo as an example of leadership he considers relatively citizen-focused within the APC in Kosofe, though he suggested such positions may be difficult to sustain within party structures.
Adding to the conversation, Ta’awun Humanitarian Forum, through its President Taiwo Lasisi, acknowledged that although Opomulero’s tone was harsh, the issues raised reflected broader humanitarian concerns. The group called for deeper civic responsibility and renewed focus on addressing systemic challenges in healthcare and public welfare.
The exchange has since stirred conversations across political and civic spaces, with observers divided between defending existing political structures and calling for more far-reaching institutional reforms.