The Presidency yesterday challenged opposition leaders and other critics of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to articulate alternative solutions to the nation’s problems.
It advised them to highlight “alternative strategies they would propose in contrast to this administration’s extensive list of significant achievements currently benefiting Nigerians in real-time.”
Frowning at their deliberate attempt to find faults and trade in deceit, the Presidency urged the opposition leaders to shun disinformation, desist from spreading fake news and avoid over-reliance on deceptive Artificial Intelligence (AI) videos.
The Presidency, in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, cautioned against the danger of peddling falsehood against the government that is serving Nigerians with diligence.
It was in reaction to a statement by a faction of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, which accused the Tinubu Administration of economic regression, democratic backsliding, and mismanagement.
The faction went to the press without authorisation from the Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who had applauded President Tinubu for his achievements and offered constructive advice as the Yoruba leader and statesman.
Following the death of Afenifere’s substantive deputy leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who had declared himself Afenifere leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the traditional ruler of Alaago-Ijesa, became the leader of the splinter Afenifere.
In contrast to the position of Afenifere led by Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the Olaitan group has consistently criticised the Tinubu Administration in the name of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation.
Faulting the factional group’s assertion about a lack of commitment to state police, the Presidency said the initiative is a complex matter, which can only be implemented with caution in the light of the prevailing national circumstances.
It said: “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.”
The state police idea has reached a high point with all the governors through the National Economic Council (NEC) headed by Vice President Shettima, endorsing it.
But the modalities, it was learnt, are being worked out.
The Presidency also dismissed the factional group’s claims as “prejudiced” and “unsupported by facts”.
It said the claims echoed the sentiments of the opposition figures the group openly supported during the 2023 general election.
Dismissing the subjective analysis of the faction, the Presidency said: “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s comeback story is firmly underway.”
It added: “A balanced assessment based on available data reveals a more objective and progressive picture.”
On the economy, the Presidency pointed to significant fiscal reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates.
Acknowledging the controversies the policies stirred, it explained that the steps saved the country over $10 billion in 2024, boosted foreign reserves to $38.1 billion, and led to a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion.
The Presidency said “inflation, though high, is beginning to moderate,” noting that the annual inflation rate dropped to 23.71 per cent in April 2025 from 24.23 per cent the previous month, with food inflation easing slightly.
He highlighted the initiatives rolled out to cushion the effects of reforms: over 5.7 million households benefiting from cash transfers, 900,000 receiving grants and loans under the Presidential Intervention Scheme, 600,000 accessing student loans, and a new minimum wage of N70,000. The NYSC monthly stipend was also raised from N33,000 to N77,000.
On transport and energy reforms, the Presidency alluded to the distribution of free CNG kits to thousands of drivers and the rollout of CNG buses in partnership with state governments, which led to a decline in transport costs.
Other achievements listed include: over $10 billion in FX backlog cleared, 60 per cent increase in federation account allocations to states, N50 billion released to end university union strikes, revitalisation of over 1,000 primary healthcare centres, and digital infrastructure projects connecting more than two million Nigerians.
The Presidency also highlighted macroeconomic milestones: 3.84 per cent GDP growth in Q4 2024, over $50 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments, an increase in net foreign reserves from $3.99 billion to $23.11 billion, and significant inflows into solid minerals and oil and gas sectors.
On the cost of governance and the Oronsaye Report, which recommends the merger of redundant government agencies, the Presidency said that while full implementation is pending, the administration has shown fiscal prudence.
It added: “The fiscal deficit was reduced from 5.4 per cent of GDP in 2023 to 3.0 per cent in 2024, and the debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100 per cent in 2022 to under 40 per cent by 2024.”
The Presidency explained that the government also raked in over N6 trillion in revenue in the first quarter of this year, aided by the removal of Ways and Means advances and subsidies.
Rejecting the accusations of prebendalism and elite favouritism, the Presidency drew attention to the anti-corruption efforts, including the suspension of a minister in January 2024 and the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which secured a record 4,111 convictions and recovered N364 billion in 2024.
It also pointed to the landmark forfeiture of an Abuja estate comprising 753 housing units, now under the Federal Ministry of Housing’s control.
On democratic institutions, the Presidency rejected the factional Afenifere’s claim that the Tinubu Administration is fostering “totalitarianism” and eroding democratic checks and balances.
It said the Supreme Court had upheld opposition victories in states like Kano, Plateau, and Abia,” adding that the judgments are proof of judicial independence.
The Presidency also faulted the claims of government complicity in cracking down on peaceful protests or manipulating the electoral process through partisan appointments.
On national security, it said over 13,500 terrorists and bandits were neutralised, and 7,000 were arrested within the past year.
The Presidency added: “Farms have reopened, and rural communities are returning to productivity.”
It said President Tinubu had demonstrated inclusivity through the creation of six regional development commissions to accelerate localised growth.
On the broader political climate, the Presidency described as “baseless” allegations that the administration is meddling in opposition affairs and trying to stifle dissent ahead of the 2027 general election.
It alluded to the improved international ratings, including Moody’s upgrade from Caa1 to B3 and Fitch’s credit rating bump, as validation that President Tinubu’s reforms are gaining traction.
The Presidency added: “The government is not oblivious to the hardships Nigerians are going through, but the signs of recovery are real.
“The administration is working with urgency to deliver more tangible results.
“Afenifere faction sees the cup as half empty, whereas the facts show the cup is half full — and filling steadily.
“From stabilising the naira and curbing inflation, to reducing debt burdens and expanding access to education and health, the Tinubu Administration is delivering bold reforms with real results.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is turning the corner.
“The comeback story is far from over — but it is firmly underway.”
