Afenifere Criticizes Tinubu’s Administration: “We Are Moving Back to the Days of Abacha”
Introduction
The political atmosphere in Nigeria has become increasingly tense under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu. Critics, including prominent voices from various socio-political groups, have raised concerns about the government's handling of the economy and civil liberties. Among these critics is the National Publicity Secretary of the Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere, Justice Faloye, who has publicly denounced Tinubu’s administration, drawing parallels between current governance and the authoritarian rule of former military dictator, Sani Abacha.
Afenifere’s Stance on Economic Mismanagement
In a recent interview with Arise News, Justice Faloye did not mince words when expressing his disapproval of the Tinubu administration's economic policies. According to Faloye, the current government's approach, presented as “economic reforms,” is, in reality, a form of economic sabotage that is causing great hardship for Nigerians. He accused the administration of deliberately undermining the welfare of the people under the guise of reforms, calling the situation alarming and unsustainable.
Faloye’s grievances are deeply rooted in what he sees as a fundamental misunderstanding—or intentional misdirection—of economic policy. He emphasized that the administration is failing to address the root causes of Nigeria's economic woes, especially the heavy reliance on petrol imports, which he claimed accounts for over 55% of the country's import bill.
“Our biggest problem right now is the importation of petrol,” Faloye remarked. He pointed out that the government, within its first 100 days, should have made meaningful strides in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports, but instead, no significant progress has been made. This failure, he argued, is contributing to the rising cost of living and economic instability faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Moving Back to the Days of Abacha
In a statement that has drawn considerable attention, Faloye warned that Nigeria is regressing towards the dark days of authoritarian rule reminiscent of the Sani Abacha era. He described the administration's handling of protests against economic hardship as a troubling sign of growing authoritarianism. According to Faloye, the repression of peaceful protests and the jailing of citizens for treason merely for voicing their dissent is an indication that democratic freedoms are under threat.
“We are moving back to the days of Abacha if we are not careful,” Faloye cautioned, noting the worrying similarities between Tinubu’s style of governance and the oppressive tactics used by Abacha during his military dictatorship in the 1990s. Abacha’s regime was notorious for its brutal suppression of political dissent and widespread corruption, which plunged the country into a period of economic stagnation and social unrest. Faloye fears that if the current trajectory continues, Nigeria may find itself in a similarly precarious situation.
Calls for the Release of Detained Protesters
One of Faloye’s most urgent demands is the immediate release of protesters who have been jailed for treason. He condemned the government’s harsh treatment of citizens exercising their right to protest, arguing that such actions are both unconstitutional and unjust.
“We are very concerned, and we are asking for the immediate release of those locked up for treason,” Faloye stated. He emphasized that even if protests become violent, the appropriate legal response should be to charge individuals with destruction of property or related offenses—not treason. The Afenifere chieftain questioned the government’s definition of treason, suggesting that the real treason lies in the economic mismanagement that is crippling the country.
“Who is even treasonable here? Because what Nigerians are facing is economic sabotage,” Faloye asserted, pointing out the disconnect between the government’s rhetoric of reform and the reality of worsening living conditions for the average Nigerian.
Failure to Address Petrol Imports
Faloye also took aim at the government's failure to tackle the critical issue of Nigeria’s reliance on imported petrol. He lamented that despite billions of dollars invested in the nation’s refineries, no tangible progress has been made to reduce the dependency on imported fuel. The government's inaction in this area, he argued, is one of the key drivers of the country’s economic challenges.
“Our refineries have gulped over 20 billion, and yet nothing is happening,” Faloye said, referring to the vast sums of money that have been spent on upgrading Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, which remain largely dysfunctional. He also expressed skepticism about the much-anticipated Dangote refinery, questioning whether it would provide the relief that Nigerians have been promised.
Faloye argued that by failing to address the core issue of petrol imports, the government is exacerbating the country’s economic problems. He stressed that reducing the import bill should have been a priority, yet the administration has failed to implement the necessary measures to achieve this.
Questioning Economic Reforms
Another central point of Faloye’s critique is his skepticism toward the government's so-called economic reforms. He challenged the administration to specify exactly which industries it expects to benefit from these reforms, noting that the policies implemented thus far have only made life more difficult for Nigerians.
“They keep saying there are economic reforms. What reforms? Can they specifically tell us which industries they expect to grow from these reforms?” Faloye asked. His concerns reflect a broader sentiment among critics that the government’s economic agenda lacks transparency and direction. Without clear objectives and a coherent strategy, Faloye warned, Nigeria’s economic situation will continue to deteriorate, with ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of the hardship.
Conclusion
Justice Faloye’s critique of the Tinubu administration reflects deep frustration with the current state of governance in Nigeria. His comparison of Tinubu’s leadership to the authoritarianism of the Abacha era underscores the gravity of the situation as he sees it, where economic mismanagement and the repression of dissent threaten to erode the democratic gains made since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule.
The call for the immediate release of jailed protesters, alongside demands for more effective economic policies, highlights the growing discontent among civil society groups like Afenifere. As the administration continues to face criticism from various quarters, the path forward for Nigeria remains uncertain, with many calling for a more transparent, accountable, and people-centered approach to governance. Whether the government will heed these calls and implement meaningful changes remains to be seen, but the stakes are undoubtedly high as Nigeria grapples with the twin challenges of economic instability and democratic backsliding.
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