The presidency has described an assessment by an Afenifere faction of President Bola Tinubu’s performance in two years as jaundiced.
The presidency added that the group has found it challenging to accept that Nigeria’s comeback story is firmly underway under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
It said the statement from the factional group raises concerns about a penchant and deliberate attempt to find faults and trade in deceit instead of objectivity.
The Villa faulted the group’s claims on economic reforms and their impact; cost of governance; political climate and 2027 elections; security and social welfare; democratic concerns and centralisation; and allegations of prebendalism and corruption.
The Afenifere group, led by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, in its mid-term review, said Nigerians have been subjected to harrowing pain and anguish in the two years of Tinubu’s administration.
The faction also accused the administration of economic mismanagement and democratic backsliding.
Reacting however, special adviser to the president on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said, “This is a jaundiced view, echoing the view of opposition politicians, one of whom the group supported in the 2023 election.”
Dare said a balanced assessment based on available data reveals a more objective and progressive picture, with significant achievements amid the challenges expected from a country like Nigeria with decades-old problems.
On the impact on economic reforms, Dare said the factional Afenifere’s claim about Tinubu’s economic reforms sought to draw attention to some of the challenges but overlooked the macroeconomic gains.
He said the removal of the fuel subsidy, on May 29, 2023, saved the government over $10 billion in 2023 alone, reduced fiscal strain and redirected funds to other sectors.
He added that unifying the foreign exchange market and the naira’s floatation aimed to address distortions in the currency market, boosted foreign reserves to $38.1 billion by 2024 and achieved a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion for the country.
“Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% in the prior month. Food inflation, the most significant component of the inflation basket, remained elevated but moderated to 21.26% from 21.79%.
“While these figures indicate stabilisation, the immediate impact on ordinary Nigerians is not lost. The government’s cash transfer programme, which provides funds to the poorest households and benefits over 5.7 million households, is a credible outreach.
“However, dismissing the twin policies as “unforced errors” ignores the unsustainable nature of the previous subsidy regime and multiple exchange rate systems, which were draining public finances. A more balanced critique would acknowledge the necessity of reform while emphasising the need for better-targeted social safety nets.
“As of today, the Tinubu administration has recorded over 900,000 beneficiaries of the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme, over 600,000 beneficiaries of the Students’ Loan Scheme, NELFUND, N70,000 minimum wage, NYSC monthly stipend increase from N33,000 to N77,000, Free CNG kits distributed to thousands of commercial drivers across Nigeria with CNG buses rolled out in partnership with state governments, leading to a significant drop in transport costs.
“The administration also recorded over $10 Billion FX debt cleared, Federal account allocation to states growing by 60%, enabling more local development projects, N50 billion released to end the perennial ASUU strikes, and over 1,000 PHCs revitalised nationwide with an additional 5,500 undergoing upgrades.
“The administration also disbursed N75 Billion in palliative funds to states and LGs for food distribution and cash transfers, over 150,000 youths are being trained in software development, tech support and data analysis under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) project, over 20,000 affordable housing units under construction under the renewed Hope cities program launched across Nigeria, N200 Billion in Loans to farmers and agro-processors.
“Other gains: over two million Nigerians are now connected to new digital infrastructure and community broadband hubs and public WiFi projects, 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024 (highest in 3 years), over $50 Billion in new FDI Commitments, Net Foreign Exchange Reserves up from $3.99 Billion (2023) to $23.11 Billion (2024), over $8 Billion in new oil and gas investments unlocked, and over $800 million realised in processing investments in solid minerals in 2024 and inflation as at April was down to 23.17%.
“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,” the statement said.
On the cost of governance and the Oronsaye report, the presidential spokesman said the assertion that the Tinubu administration has failed to implement the Oronsaye Report and instead increased governance costs is inaccurate.
He said the Oronsaye Report, which recommends the merger or scrapping of government agencies to reduce expenditure, has not been fully implemented and has drawn criticisms; it must be noted, however, that the administration has made some efforts to improve fiscal discipline.
Dare said Afenifere’s claim that the administration favours “the privileged and connected” through corrupt palliative distribution and mega-project allocations is questionable.
He said reports of palliatives being mismanaged or distributed through unverified channels have no doubt surfaced, raising concerns about transparency.
“The administration has taken steps against corruption, such as suspending Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu in January 2024 over alleged fund diversion, signalling some commitment to accountability. Critics may argue that more systemic action is needed, but dismissing all the efforts as propaganda overlooks these initial steps.
“Without abusing Presidential powers, the administration is working on expediting action on all pending investigations and prosecution of corrupt practices. At the same time, critical agencies are collating credible evidence on ongoing corruption litigations.”
The presidential spokesman said 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.
“The public should note that the Supreme Court has upheld opposition victories in states like Kano, Plateau, and Abia, suggesting judicial independence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faced criticism for allegedly appointing individuals said to be ruling party affiliates, but no evidence confirms these appointees are card-carrying APC members.
“The allegation that the Tinubu government cracks down on peaceful protesters is primarily unfounded. It is a regurgitated rhetoric deployed under previous administrations as a reflection of broader challenges in Nigeria’s democratic culture.
“The issue of the State Police is more complex than the oversimplified approach of the factional Afenifere’s statement. Every administration policy is subject to security impact assessment before implementation, and there is a difference between the State Police being widely advocated and a Police State that critics may blame the Federal Government for if implemented without caution,” he said.
On security and social welfare, Dare said contrary to the impression created, the administration’s security record is impressive.
He said over 13,500 terrorists, bandits, and insurgents have been neutralised and 7,000 arrested in the past year, though there is still some news of abductions and violent attacks.
He said the administration’s proactive response to security-related matters has paved the way for more farmers to return to their farms, impacting food production and supply.
“The administration also embarked on agricultural initiatives, including tractor procurement, fertiliser distribution, and increased mechanisation.
“The government has also not relented on its Regional Development drive as the administration succeeded in establishing Development Commissions across 6 Geopolitical zones (South West, North West, North Central. North East, South East and the Niger Delta) to empower communities and accelerate developments, Dare added.
He added that the claims of government-sponsored conflicts within opposition parties lack concrete evidence and should be ignored.
The presidential spokesman however added that the government is not oblivious to some discontent and difficult times among Nigerians.
He said there is an urgency to deliver more tangible results, which is guaranteed given the impressive performance of the administration in just two years.
“Afenifere’s statement saw the cup as half empty. On the contrary, it’s half full. Under President Tinubu’s administration, some of Nigeria’s hydra-headed problems are being tackled headlong,” he said.
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