In a bold and blistering midterm appraisal, a faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has publicly denounced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s "Renewed Hope Agenda," describing it as a colossal failure that has inflicted untold hardship on the Nigerian populace. The group, led by its Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, stated in no uncertain terms that the promise of hope has metamorphosed into “a nightmare of regressing hopelessness and despair.”
The damning verdict was contained in a statement jointly signed by Oba Olaitan and the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, in which the faction lambasted the Tinubu administration for what it termed “reckless economic experiments” and “policy insensitivity.”
According to the group, key economic decisions, including the abrupt removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, were executed without adequate planning or safety nets, plunging millions of Nigerians into deeper poverty. “The impact has been catastrophic,” the statement read. “Food prices have skyrocketed, transportation costs have become unbearable, and basic necessities are now luxuries to the average Nigerian.”
The Afenifere faction further criticized the administration’s handling of palliatives, claiming the intervention lacked transparency and largely failed to reach the most vulnerable segments of society. “Only 4.1% of Nigerians—primarily civil servants—have benefited from the much-touted 38% wage increase,” the statement said. “Meanwhile, the vast majority continue to suffer the devastating effects of inflation and unemployment.”
The group also accused President Tinubu of surrounding himself with sycophants and technocrats disconnected from the realities of ordinary Nigerians, adding that his government has shown a disturbing preference for propaganda over performance. “This government appears more interested in managing optics than addressing the urgent needs of the people,” the statement noted.
Insecurity, another major concern, was also flagged in the statement. The group pointed out that despite lofty promises, kidnapping, banditry, and violent crimes persist in many regions, further exacerbating the climate of fear and economic uncertainty.
They expressed particular outrage over what they described as “lavish expenditures on luxury items” and continued foreign travels by top officials at a time when citizens are being urged to tighten their belts. “Leadership should begin with sacrifice,” they emphasized. “But instead, Nigerians are being asked to suffer while their leaders indulge.”
The faction called on President Tinubu to retrace his steps and embrace compassionate and inclusive governance before the situation deteriorates further. “He must begin to lead with empathy and genuine concern. The people need food on their tables, not another speech or slogan,” the statement urged.
In a concluding note, the Afenifere faction warned that unless urgent corrective actions are taken, the "Renewed Hope" agenda may end up in history as a missed opportunity that widened inequality, deepened poverty, and alienated the very people it pledged to uplift.
This latest critique from within the Yoruba sociopolitical landscape is seen as a significant blow to the Tinubu administration, especially coming from a group historically seen as a moral compass in Yoruba politics. Observers believe the statement may reflect growing disillusionment across even traditional support bases, signaling a need for urgent recalibration by the presidency as it enters the latter half of its first term.