The Presidency has strongly rebuked a statement issued by a faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, over its criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration at mid-term. In a detailed response issued by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, the faction was accused of trading in deceit and political bias rather than offering a balanced and fact-based assessment of the administration’s performance.
The faction had alleged that Tinubu’s government marked a period of economic regression, democratic decline, and human development setbacks. But Dare countered that the group’s position mirrored that of opposition figures they supported in the 2023 elections and ignored the administration’s tangible gains under its “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Economic Reforms: “Hard Choices for Long-Term Gains”
Defending the government’s economic policies, the Presidency highlighted major reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and unification of the foreign exchange market. According to the statement, these measures saved the government over $10 billion in 2023 and pushed Nigeria’s foreign reserves to $38.1 billion by 2024. Inflation, while still high, dropped slightly to 23.71% in April 2025, down from 24.23% the previous month.
In response to concerns about hardship, Dare cited efforts including cash transfers to over 5.7 million households, minimum wage adjustments, and support schemes like student loans, grants to small businesses, and palliatives to state and local governments.
“This administration has recorded over 900,000 beneficiaries of the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme, and over 600,000 in the Student Loan Scheme,” he noted, listing other accomplishments like clearing $10 billion in FX debts, revitalising over 1,000 primary healthcare centres, and training over 150,000 youths in tech skills.
Fiscal Responsibility and Oronsaye Report
Contrary to Afenifere’s claim of ballooning governance costs, Dare insisted that Tinubu has cut Nigeria’s fiscal deficit from 5.4% to 3% of GDP and reduced the debt-service-to-revenue ratio significantly. Although full implementation of the Oronsaye Report on pruning government agencies remains pending, the administration has “prioritised fiscal discipline” and aims to execute cost-cutting reforms in stages, the statement said.
Anti-Corruption: “Not Just Rhetoric”
Dare also pushed back on allegations that the government enables corruption through patronage and lopsided palliatives. Citing the suspension of a Minister under investigation and record-setting recoveries by the EFCC, he said the administration is taking a measured but firm stance.
“In 2024, the EFCC secured 4,111 convictions, the highest in its history, and recovered N364 billion, $214.5 million, and 31,265 Euros. A 150,500 sqm estate with 725 housing units was also forfeited and handed to the Ministry of Housing in May 2025,” Dare stated.
Democracy and Security: “No Tilt Toward Totalitarianism”
Responding to fears of creeping authoritarianism, Dare argued that judicial independence and electoral integrity remain intact. He pointed to Supreme Court rulings upholding opposition victories in states like Kano and Abia as evidence.
On security, he reported that over 13,500 terrorists and bandits had been neutralised and 7,000 arrested, while farmers have begun returning to their fields. Regional development commissions have also been established across all six geopolitical zones to deepen inclusion and equity.
“Nigeria’s Comeback Is Firmly Underway”
In conclusion, the Presidency urged critics to adopt a more constructive and truthful approach. “While the challenges are real, the reforms are working. We’ve laid the foundation for economic stability, restored investor confidence, and embarked on large-scale human capital development,” the statement read.
“The Afenifere faction saw the cup as half empty. In truth, it is half full. Nigeria’s comeback story is not yet complete—but it is firmly underway,” Dare said.
He also called on opposition figures and civil society to resist the temptation of disinformation, particularly in an age of fake news and AI-generated content, urging national unity and collaboration to consolidate the administration’s achievements.
