Afenifere’s Assessment of Tinubu Deceitful, Lacking in Objectivity, Says Presidency
The Presidency has responded to a statement by a factional Afenifere group, describing it as “deceitful” and “lacking in objectivity”. The group had claimed that the Tinubu administration’s performance over the past two years has been marred by regression in human development, economic mismanagement, and democratic backsliding.
In a point-by-point clarification, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, argued that the group’s position is neither grounded in facts nor logic. Dare cited significant achievements by the administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy, which saved the government over
10 billion in 2023, and the unification of the foreign exchange market,which boosted foreign reserves to 38.1 billion by 2024.
The administration also recorded a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion, and the annual inflation rate fell to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% in the prior month. Additionally, the government’s cash transfer programme has benefited over 5.7 million households, and the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme has recorded over 900,000 beneficiaries.
Dare also highlighted the administration’s efforts to improve fiscal discipline, including the reduction of the fiscal deficit from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, and the debt service-to-revenue ratio dropping from nearly 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024.
The administration has also made significant strides in anti-corruption efforts, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) securing a record-breaking 4,111 convictions in 2024, and recovering over N364 billion and significant amounts in foreign currencies.
The Afenifere group’s claim that the administration is pursuing a “one-party state totalitarianism” and undermining democratic institutions was also dismissed as unsupported and lacking merit. Dare pointed out that the Supreme Court has upheld opposition victories in several states, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faced criticism for alleged bias, but no evidence confirms that appointees are card-carrying APC members.
The administration’s security record was also highlighted, with over 13,500 terrorists, bandits, and insurgents neutralised and 7,000 arrested in the past year. The government has also established Development Commissions across six geopolitical zones to empower communities and accelerate development.
In conclusion, Dare stated that the administration is not oblivious to the challenges facing Nigerians, but is committed to delivering tangible results. He urged responsible citizens and political leaders to work collaboratively with the administration to address the challenges and counter disinformation.
“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,” Dare said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
