The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has launched a scathing criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that his government offers no hope for Nigerians.
In an open letter titled State of the Nation issued on Tuesday, Adams, also the National Leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), accused the President of exacerbating the country’s economic and security crises through misguided policies.
Adams expressed disappointment, noting that the optimism many Nigerians felt during the 2023 elections has now faded.
“When you introduced the ‘Emilokan’ slogan, many believed your experience as a democrat would usher in better governance. Unfortunately, you have deeply disappointed those who saw you as Nigeria’s messiah,” he wrote.
He highlighted the soaring price of fuel, which skyrocketed from under ₦200 per liter to over ₦1,000 following Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidies, as well as the steep depreciation of the naira.
Adams also questioned the competence of the President’s key economic advisors, Wale Edun and Yemi Cardoso, citing their failure to reverse the nation’s economic decline.
On the security front, Adams criticised Tinubu for failing to address the growing wave of kidnappings and violence across the country, accusing him of neglecting the safety of citizens.
He expressed frustration over the government’s harsh response to the August 1st hunger protests, during which several protesters were arrested and charged with treason.
“Is this how governments are overthrown—with placards?” he asked, referencing the crackdown on civil society organizations.
In a somber conclusion, Adams lamented the rise in poverty, unemployment, and business closures under Tinubu’s administration, warning that Nigeria’s inflation rate of over 32 percent and unemployment rate nearing 40 percent signal a dire situation for the country.
