Nigerians yesterday continued to react to President Bola Tinubu’s mid-term speech, in which the incumbent rated his istration’s performance highly.
While some, like the Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo, declared, “Tinubu’s two-year scorecard is heavily tainted by the incompetence and corruption of his appointed officials,” others, such as African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial candidate John Chuma Nwosu, were unequivocal, saying, “Nigerians are worse off than they were two years ago. They are discontented and feel entirely disenfranchised.”
Unsurprisingly, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) defended the istration, blaming the policy failures of past presidents.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed dissatisfaction with the two-year istration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing his economic policies as “fruitless”.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki yesterday, the National Deputy President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, criticised what he termed Tinubu’s “abysmal performances,” alleging that they have eroded the credibility of his government. He noted that ordinary Nigerians are struggling with the adverse effects of ineffective governance, including widespread hunger and economic hardship.
Isiguzoro attributed the President’s shortcomings to what he described as the “Yorubanisation” of his government and the incompetence of many of his ministers. He urged Tinubu to address these issues within the remaining two years of his term and reconnect with the Nigerian populace.
Despite his criticisms, Isiguzoro acknowledged the commendable contributions of Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. He praised their efforts in delivering visible federal road projects and infrastructure reforms, calling them exemplary leaders who have proven their competence.
The statement noted, “The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, feels compelled to communicate an unspeakable and uncomfortable truth to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as we reflect on the circumstances surrounding the second anniversary of his istration.”
“Nigerians are enduring untold hardships as a direct consequence of the ongoing experimental leadership failures propagated by a cadre of incompetent ministers and political appointees,” the statement continued.
Ohanaeze further called on Tinubu to abandon the “Yorubanisation” agenda, which it claimed undermines national unity. Instead, the group urged the President to adopt governance grounded in competence and merit.
“The President must summon the courage to advocate for the creation of additional states, particularly two in the South-East, as a step towards addressing historical imbalances,” the group added.
The statement also urged Tinubu to reshuffle his cabinet, dismiss ineffective ministers, and appoint more capable leaders like Umahi and Wike to restore public confidence.
“The uncomfortable truth must be conveyed unequivocally: President Tinubu’s two-year scorecard is heavily tainted by the incompetence and corruption of his appointed officials,” Ohanaeze stated.
Looking ahead, the group warned of potential political consequences should the istration fail to meet public expectations. “The Nigerian people expect transformative leadership. If this expectation continues to be unmet, the political landscape may shift dramatically by 2027. Those responsible for this istration’s failures are likely to position themselves within opposition coalitions, abandoning the President at the crucial moment,” it warned.
Ohanaeze also called for the inclusion of ethnicity and religion in the forthcoming 2025 National Census, arguing that such measures would enhance Nigeria’s electoral reforms and strengthen its democracy.
Anniversary speech ‘vacuous’, says ADC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the November 8 Anambra State gubernatorial election, John Chuma Nwosu, has dismissed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary speech, describing it as failing to justify the “Renewed Hope” agenda promised by the istration.
Speaking yesterday, Nwosu expressed scepticism about the ability of the All Progressives Congress-led federal government to halt the nation’s economic decline. He characterised the istration’s policies as “knee-jerk reactions” that have exacerbated Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges over the past two years.
“The downslide is also progressive; it is difficult to reverse or stop a loaded truck speeding downhill and in the wrong direction. One only hopes the crash won’t be fatal,” he said.
Nwosu pointed out the severe impacts of the istration’s policies, noting that price hikes exceeding 20 per cent have caused societal shock and trauma.
“Fuel, electricity, transport, food, housing, and medical prices have all exceeded 40 per cent price hikes in the past two years. The naira is grossly devalued, and Nigerians are in a state of permanent shock. Most people are no longer living; they are barely surviving,” he said.
Illustrating the grim reality, he shared a poignant anecdote: “A man was asked how things were under PBAT. He responded, ‘Under Tinubu, my family and I are no longer trying to make ends meet; we are only trying to make ends see each other from a distance.’ A real sad situation, one might add.”
]Nwosu criticised President Tinubu’s
anniversary speech as a missed opportunity to address the pressing needs and aspirations of Nigerians. He argued that the speech was more focused on politicking and preparing for a second term in 2027 than on meaningful achievements.
“Nigerians are worse off than they were two years ago. They are discontented and feel entirely disenfranchised. The speech was vacuous in the context of what was accomplished,” he declared.
Despite his criticisms, Nwosu reminded Nigerians of their democratic power to elect leaders who align with their interests. “In a democracy, we have the opportunity to elect persons of our choice to lead us. We also have the prerogative to vote out those who haven’t served us well,” he said.
He urged citizens to use protest votes to hold leaders able, particularly those whose policies have inflicted hardship on them, their families, or their communities. “That’s democracy!” he remarked.
While acknowledging Nigerians’ resilience, Nwosu encouraged them to adapt to current challenges, but warned against normalising extreme suffering. “Poverty, hunger, and suffering are not things to brag about. Citizens must continue to voice their concerns and stand ready to protest and eventually vote out any government at the state or federal level that has not met their expectations,” he concluded.
Group dismisses performance claims as propaganda
The widely d performance of President Bola Tinubu to mark his two years in office has been dismissed by the #EndBadGovernance (EBG) Movement, which argued that the All Progressives Congress-led istration has failed in the basic parameters of governance.
The group, during a briefing at the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, yesterday, described the touted achievements as propaganda, which it claimed is the hallmark of the APC, whether in or out of government.
In a statement signed by Hassan Taiwo ‘Soweto’ and Oloye Adegboyega-Adeniji, the Organising Committee of the EBG Movement in Lagos alleged that while the President claims to have cleared the country’s debts, he is seeking to borrow more funds, which could push Nigeria’s debt to the N200 trillion mark.
In the statement read by Soweto at the briefing, the group asserted that Nigerians did not mandate the President to borrow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank on their behalf.
He stated: “At no time did the Nigerian people ever agree with Tinubu on this ruinous IMF/World Bank agenda. Recall that right from May 29, 2023, when these neo-liberal reforms were pronounced, the Nigerian people resoundingly rejected them. So, these economic reforms were imposed by Tinubu on a helpless nation.
“In fact, the imposition of the policy of oil subsidy removal and petrol price hike was Tinubu’s first act of dictatorship. In August last year, tens of thousands of Nigerian people trooped out to the streets nationwide for 10 days to also reject these policies.”
To sustain the resistance against these “anti-people policies,” he called on citizens to gather on June 12 at Ikeja Underbridge for a protest, emphasising that “the difference between a citizen and a slave is the latter’s inability to speak out.”
Christiana Phillips of the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, remarked that “Nigerians are not happy,” adding that the way politicians brainwash the masses is becoming increasingly alarming. She stressed: “We need justice for peace and development.”
Isa Oyetunji of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) observed that the poor masses are being subjected to more hardship. He urged citizens to overcome fear and participate in the June 12 rally.
The movement also criticised Tinubu’s frequent trips abroad for minor health issues, questioning why he would do so if he had indeed fixed the healthcare system as claimed.
Concerns over insecurity, borrowing, detention of protesters
The National Youth Stakeholders Forum (NYSF), t Action Front (JAF), and Youth Arise Movement (YAM) have criticised President Bola Tinubu’s istration, citing worsening insecurity, the continued detention of peaceful protesters, and what they described as reckless borrowing.
In separate statements issued yesterday, the groups accused the federal government of failing to secure lives, respect civic freedoms, and manage the nation’s resources transparently.
The NYSF highlighted the increasing wave of killings and kidnappings across the country, describing the situation as a grave threat to national unity. It condemned violence in Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Kaduna, and other states, accusing the istration of “complacency and silence” in the face of ongoing bloodshed.
“This istration has failed woefully to protect lives and property. Our people are being slaughtered while those in power remain silent. It is an insult to the memory of the victims,” the NYSF statement read.
The forum called on President Tinubu to declare a tactical emergency on insecurity, stating that the government’s silence amounts to “a dangerous endorsement of terror.”
JAF, in its statement, criticised the continued detention of young Nigerians who participated in protests against hardship last August. It described the charges of treason against protesters as an attempt to suppress dissent and intimidate citizens.
“This government is becoming increasingly repressive. The arrest and continued detention of peaceful protesters is a direct attack on democracy. We demand their immediate and unconditional release,” the group stated.
JAF further declared that “two years of the Tinubu regime have been a monumental disaster for Nigerian workers, youths, and the general public.” It called for an end to “attacks on democratic rights” and the reversal of policies such as the removal of fuel subsidies, naira devaluation, and the commercialisation of social services, which it said are the primary drivers of current hardships.
The group urged workers, youths, and the public to mobilise at the grassroots level to compel labour leaders to initiate nationwide action. JAF expressed for the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress in their planned resistance against recent fuel price and electricity tariff hikes.
YAM raised concerns over what it termed the istration’s “irresponsible and reckless borrowing.” The group alleged that the government has borrowed $21.5 billion externally and N757 billion domestically within one year, warning that such actions would deepen poverty.
“This borrowing spree is suicidal. The government is mortgaging the future of our generation and those unborn. We reject this in totality,” YAM said.
The group also demanded ability for recovered public funds, claiming that $967.5 billion and N277 billion in recovered assets remain uned for. “Where are these funds? Why are Nigerians suffering while the government hides behind silence and vague statements?” it queried.
The organisations called on Nigerian youths to organise and hold leaders able, warning that failure to act could lead to further socio-economic collapse.
APC blames previous istrations
TheAll Progressives Congress has attributed Nigeria’s current challenges to the failures of past istrations, accusing them of postponing critical decisions to avert “doomsday.”
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja to mark the istration’s mid-term anniversary, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s controversial policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies.
Morka argued that Tinubu’s actions were aimed at saving Nigeria from exploitation, unlike his predecessors who, he claimed, acted only to secure funds for short-term needs.
Morka stated: “All the Presidents who came before this President preferred to simply postpone the doomsday. We didn’t just wake up in the last two years to realise that fuel subsidy was a destructive device in our country. We’ve always known that.”
According to him, previous istrations incrementally reduced subsidies but failed to address the structural issues affecting the economy. He contrasted Tinubu’s approach, saying: “The difference between President Bola Tinubu and the rest of them was that this President… said, you know what, enough is enough.”
He acknowledged that the subsidy removal and other economic reforms have led to widespread hardship, including increased fuel and food prices, but maintained that the policies were necessary for long-term recovery.
Responding to questions about when Nigerians might start benefiting from these policies, Morka used an analogy of a crawling child: “A child who is crawling is doing exactly what a child is expected to do; to crawl before they walk… It’s crawling that strengthens their legs and other parts of the body to withstand the rigour of walking.”
He insisted that Tinubu’s policies were not designed for immediate popularity but to safeguard the country’s future. “He was willing to stake highly so our country can have that shot at not just recovery,” he said.
Morka urged Nigerians to be patient, expressing optimism that by the end of Tinubu’s tenure, many would recognise his leadership as pivotal to Nigeria’s progress. “In the fullness of his term, even two years from now, most Nigerians will agree that this man is truly Nigeria’s President of progress,” he asserted.
https://guardian.ng/news/ohanaeze-others-fault-tinubus-scorecard-as-apc-blames-past-leaders/
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