‘Your claims lack merit’: Presidency slams Afenifere for criticising Tinubu’s administration

The Presidency has berated a faction of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Afenifere recently stated that the administration’s policies have resulted in economic hardship and social regression.

The group noted that Tinubu’s administration’s performance over the past two years has witnessed a regression in human development, economic mismanagement, and democratic backsliding.

Reacting via a statement issued on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said Afenifere’s claims echoed the view of opposition politicians, “one of whom the group supported in the 2023 election.”

Dare added that the group’s position was neither grounded in facts nor logic.

He noted that the removal of the fuel subsidy, announced by Tinubu on May 29, 2023, saved the government over $10 billion in 2023 alone, saying this reduced fiscal strain and redirected funds to other sectors.

“It is now pertinent to inquire from opposition leaders about alternative strategies they would propose in contrast to this administration’s extensive list of significant achievements currently benefiting Nigerians in real-time,” Dare said.

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Dare further stated that the assertion that the Tinubu administration has failed to implement the Oronsaye Report and instead increased governance costs was inaccurate.

He said the Oronsaye Report, which recommends the merger or scrapping of government agencies to reduce expenditure, has not been fully implemented.

He said the steps taken by the government to demonstrate fiscal prudence will eventually translate into immediate and tangible relief for citizens.

“The administration is working earnestly to address these optics and prioritise cost-cutting measures, including implementing the Oronsaye Report, to restore public trust,” the presidential spokesman stated.

Dare also condemned Afenifere’s claim that the Tinubu administration favours “the privileged and connected” through corrupt palliative distribution and mega-project allocations.

Dare added that Afenifere’s accusation that the Tinubu administration is pursuing a “one-party state totalitarianism” and undermining democratic institutions is unsupported and lacks merit.

He said: “The claim of neutralising the legislature and judiciary is also a false alarm.

“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is turning the corner. From stabilising the naira and curbing inflation to reducing debt burdens and expanding access to education and health, the administration delivers bold reforms with actual results.

“With improved security, regional inclusion, anti-corruption measures, and institutional rebuilding, Nigeria’s comeback story is not yet complete — but it is firmly underway.”

The Star