Two-Year Scorecard: Criticism against Tinubu politically motivated – Presidency

The Nigerian Presidency has released a comprehensive review of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two-year performance in office, countering criticism from a faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and dismissing their claims as “deceitful” and politically driven.

In a statement on Tuesday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, maintained that Nigeria’s “comeback story is firmly underway” under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

He argued that Afenifere’s claims of economic failure, democratic decline, and increased hardship were baseless and failed to acknowledge the administration’s reforms and achievements.

Dare highlighted key reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rates, which he said had begun yielding positive macroeconomic results.

According to him, the scrapping of fuel subsidies alone saved Nigeria over $10 billion in 2023, easing pressure on public finances and enabling renewed investments.

He further noted that the naira’s floatation contributed to growing the country’s foreign reserves to $38.1 billion in 2024, alongside a trade surplus of ₦18.86 trillion.

While acknowledging the initial hardship the reforms triggered, Dare pointed out that measures like cash transfers to over 5.7 million poor households, a new ₦70,000 minimum wage, and free Compressed Natural Gas kits for commercial drivers were introduced to cushion the impact.

He also listed gains in education, health, and infrastructure, including the resolution of prolonged university strikes with a ₦50 billion fund, the revitalisation of over 1,000 primary health centres, the construction of 20,000 affordable housing units, and the training of 150,000 youths under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.

Dare claimed that agricultural support, digital infrastructure expansion, and a reported 3.84 percent GDP growth in Q4 2024 indicated a gradually recovering economy.

He also pointed to $50 billion in new foreign direct investment commitments and a sharp rise in net foreign exchange reserves.

On accusations of unchecked government spending, Dare argued that Nigeria’s fiscal deficit had dropped from 5.4 percent of GDP in 2023 to 3.0 percent in 2024, while debt servicing had fallen from nearly 100 percent of revenue in 2022 to under 40 percent in 2024, thanks to the elimination of Ways & Means financing and subsidy payments.

Responding to allegations of corruption and prebendalism, Dare cited the suspension of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, over fund diversion allegations as proof of accountability within the administration.

He also noted the EFCC’s record of 4,111 convictions in 2024 and recovery of ₦364 billion in public funds.

On claims of shrinking democracy and rising authoritarianism, the presidency pointed to Supreme Court rulings that upheld opposition victories in Kano, Plateau, and Abia States as evidence of judicial independence.

Dare dismissed concerns about alleged government manipulation of opposition parties and appointments into INEC.

In the area of security, Dare revealed that over 13,500 insurgents and bandits had been neutralised in the past year, with thousands arrested, enabling displaced farmers to return to their farmlands.

He added that regional development commissions had been established to foster grassroots growth and stability.

While admitting the country still faced challenges, Dare accused the opposition of viewing the administration’s efforts with a negative lens.

He insisted Nigeria’s economy and governance structures were stabilising, with recent upgrades in the nation’s credit ratings by Fitch and Moody’s as signs of steady recovery.

“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is turning the corner,” Dare concluded.

“From stabilising the naira and reducing inflation to tackling insecurity and boosting youth empowerment, the Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering bold reforms with real, tangible results. Nigeria’s comeback story is not yet complete, but it is firmly underway.”