Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of policy failures, propaganda, and weakening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
In a statement issued on Sunday to mark the president’s second year in office, the group said the Tinubu-led administration had failed to deliver on its promises, noting that the much-publicised “Renewed Hope” agenda had become a “nightmare” for Nigerians.
The statement, jointly signed by Afenifere’s Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and its National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, said every human development and socio-political index had declined since Tinubu assumed office.
The group accused the administration of engaging in “massive propaganda” and making claims of false successes instead of accepting responsibility for the economic hardship in the country.
According to the statement, government policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, were implemented without proper planning, worsening inflation and reducing the purchasing power of citizens.
Afenifere also criticised the handling of palliative distribution, alleging corruption and favouritism. It said only a small segment of the population, mainly civil servants, benefited from wage increases, while the majority continued to struggle with rising living costs.
The group expressed concern over the continued increase in government spending, saying the administration had failed to implement the Oronsaye Report, which recommended the reduction of governance costs. Instead, it alleged that government budgets had continued to fund luxury for public officials.
Afenifere also accused the administration of centralising power, refusing to support state policing, and undermining Nigeria’s federal structure by taking control of local government administrations.
It further alleged that democratic institutions such as the legislature and judiciary were being weakened in favour of central authority, warning that the trend could lead to a one-party state.
The group said the government’s actions were not in line with the promises made during the 2023 election campaign and called for a change in direction to address the economic and democratic challenges facing the country.
Nzubechukwu Eze
