Presidency has faulted the faction of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, once led by the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo, for what it described as a biased and misleading assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, the Presidency accused Afenifere of echoing opposition rhetoric and ignoring empirical data.
Dare said the group’s claims of economic mismanagement, regression in human development and democratic decline under Tinubu lacked objectivity and are unsupported by facts. “Nigeria’s comeback story is firmly underway under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement read.
Responding to criticisms of economic hardship following the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, the Presidency said the reforms saved over $10 billion in 2023, eased fiscal strain, and boosted reserves to $38.1 billion by 2024.
It noted that Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion, while yearly inflation dropped to 23.71 per cent in April 2025.
Faulting Afenifere’s claim that Tinubu had failed to tackle corruption, Dare pointed to the suspension of Betta Edu as minister in 2024 over alleged corruption as evidence of the administration’s commitment to accountability. He added that the EFCC secured a record 4,111 convictions, recovered over N364 billion, and reclaimed a 725-unit Abuja estate now handed over to the Housing Ministry.
Responding to the allegations of democratic decline, the Presidency cited Supreme Court rulings that upheld opposition victories in Kano, Plateau and Abia states, as proof of judicial independence. It dismissed claims of creeping authoritarianism and suppression of dissent as recycled narratives lacking evidence.
On the appointment of INEC officials, the Presidency stated that no nominee had been confirmed to be a card-carrying member of the APC.
Regarding Afenifere’s position on insecurity and calls for state police, the Presidency said over 13,500 terrorists and bandits had been neutralised, and more than 7,000 arrested within the past year. It emphasised that any security reform, including state police, must undergo rigorous risk assessment to prevent abuse.
On regional development and human capital, the Presidency countered Afenifere’s assertions by noting that Development Commissions had been established in all six geopolitical zones to drive grassroots progress. It cited key achievements in education, digital inclusion, and housing as part of efforts to reduce poverty and inequality.
