Afenifere Blames Tinubu’s Reforms for Worsening Poverty and National Decline
Written by Agboola Oluwafemi on June 2, 2025
A faction of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, led by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, has issued a critical mid-term assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, attributing the nation’s deepening socio-economic crisis to misguided economic reforms and unchecked fiscal mismanagement.
The group lamented the pervasive hardship endured by Nigerians over the past two years, arguing that the administration’s policies have intensified poverty, undermined national productivity, and eroded the living standards of millions.
It accused the government of resorting to propaganda rather than acknowledging the realities of hunger, unemployment, and economic stagnation.
Highlighting key areas of concern, Afenifere pointed to what it described as a collapse of business activity, referencing data from the National Economic Summit Group indicating the closure of over seven million enterprises since 2023.
It further cited a staggering drop in GDP per capita from $3,222.70 in 2014 to an estimated $806 by 2025-underscoring the declining economic wellbeing of the average Nigerian.
The group also condemned the ballooning national debt, which it claimed has increased by more than ₦100 trillion within just two years. It expressed alarm at the deepening housing crisis, stating that approximately 30 million Nigerians are homeless, while over 100 million reside in inadequate housing.
In contrast, the government’s 2025 housing provision target of 20,000 units was deemed grossly insufficient, especially in light of the country’s rapid population growth.
Accusing the administration of extravagant public spending, Afenifere criticised the failure to implement the Steve Oronsaye report aimed at reducing the cost of governance.
It condemned the government’s lavish expenditure on luxury vehicles, a new presidential aircraft, and inflated constituency project budgets, describing the leadership’s lifestyle as tone-deaf to the sacrifices demanded of the populace.
Insecurity also featured prominently in the group’s concerns. Citing figures from Amnesty International, Afenifere reported over 10,000 deaths and the destruction of nearly 1,000 villages due to renewed insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings.
The group’s statement held the President responsible for refusing to decentralise policing, arguing that the failure to establish state police has worsened Nigeria’s security crisis and exposed millions to preventable violence.
Furthermore, Afenifere accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of orchestrating political instability in opposition ranks to pave the way for a de facto one-party state ahead of the 2027 elections.
It decried increasing suppression of civil dissent, the harassment of protesters, and the strategic weakening of political opposition through state-backed coercion and co-optation.
The group expressed concern over recent appointments to the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging partisanship and a systematic erosion of democratic values. It warned that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democratic integrity and reflect a growing disregard for constitutional principles and political pluralism.
FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS:
- WhatsApp channel: Shiloh Media Advertising
- Facebook: Shiloh Media
- Twitter: Shiloh Media
- Instagram: Shiloh Media
- YouTube: Shiloh Media
- Tiktok: Shiloh Media
Author: Agboola Oluwafemi
Marketing Expert
