The Presidency has challenged opposition figures and critics of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to present credible alternative policies rather than engage in what it described as “disinformation, fake news, and AI-driven deceit.” It also cited major achievements of the Tinubu administration, saying the country’s economic recovery is firmly underway.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Presidency said it was responding to accusations made by a faction of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, which alleged economic regression and democratic decline under Tinubu’s leadership.
The Presidency criticised the factional group for operating without the blessing of Afenifere’s leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who had earlier commended the President’s policies. It also accused the splinter group, led by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, of aligning with opposition elements from the 2023 elections.
On the contentious issue of state police, the Presidency said the matter was complex and undergoing careful security assessment through the National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The statement defended President Tinubu’s fiscal and economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, which reportedly saved over $10 billion in 2024 and boosted foreign reserves to $38.1 billion. It added that inflation is beginning to moderate, with a slight drop from 24.23% in March to 23.71% in April 2025.
The Presidency outlined other gains under the Renewed Hope Agenda:
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Over 5.7 million households receiving cash transfers
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900,000 beneficiaries under the Presidential Intervention Scheme
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600,000 students accessing loans
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NYSC stipend raised from N33,000 to N77,000
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CNG buses rolled out to reduce transport costs
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N70,000 new minimum wage
It also cited clearance of over $10 billion in foreign exchange backlog, a 60% rise in federal allocations to states, revitalisation of over 1,000 primary healthcare centres, and over $50 billion in foreign direct investment commitments.
On governance reforms, the Presidency said the implementation of the Oronsaye Report is underway, and that the fiscal deficit has dropped from 5.4% of GDP to 3% within a year. It also noted a reduction in the debt-service-to-revenue ratio from nearly 100% to under 40%.
Anti-corruption efforts were highlighted, including 4,111 convictions by the EFCC and the recovery of N364 billion in 2024.
In terms of national security, the Presidency reported that over 13,500 terrorists and bandits were neutralised, with 7,000 arrested in the last year. It insisted that the administration is not cracking down on peaceful dissent, citing Supreme Court rulings upholding opposition victories as evidence of judicial independence.
Dismissing suggestions of totalitarianism or political interference ahead of the 2027 elections, the Presidency maintained that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is on the path to economic and democratic recovery. “The cup is not just half full — it is filling steadily,” the statement said.
