The pan Yoruba socio political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed deep concern over the state of the nation as President Bola Tinubu’s administration marks its third year in office, describing the current situation in the country as troubling and alarming.
In a statement released on Thursday by the group’s leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, alongside National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, Afenifere said Nigeria is witnessing growing hardship, insecurity, unemployment and what it described as a weakening of democratic institutions under the present administration.
The group, in a statement titled “Tinubu’s 3 Year Report: Summum Malum or Summum Bonum,” said many Nigerians are now living in fear and uncertainty despite the promises of renewed hope made at the beginning of the administration.
According to Afenifere, the country has continued to experience widespread insecurity, including killings, kidnappings and attacks on communities across different parts of Nigeria. The organisation referenced recent incidents involving the abduction of students and teachers, as well as violent attacks in states such as Kwara and Oyo, saying the situation reflects a failure to properly address the nation’s security challenges.
The group maintained that the inability to establish state and community policing has continued to weaken the fight against insecurity, adding that citizens are increasingly worried about the direction of the country.
Afenifere also criticised the administration’s handling of the economy, arguing that current economic policies have worsened poverty and hardship among Nigerians. The organisation claimed that rising debt, unemployment and the increasing cost of living have placed millions of citizens under severe pressure.
The statement further noted that many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic needs, including food and shelter, despite repeated assurances from the government that economic reforms are producing positive results.
The Yoruba group also raised concerns over what it described as growing pressure on opposition parties, labour unions and student bodies, warning that democratic values must be protected at all times. According to the organisation, the independence of key institutions, including the electoral and judicial systems, should not be compromised.
Afenifere equally criticised the rising cost of governance and alleged misuse of public resources, stressing that leaders should show greater accountability and transparency while asking citizens to endure economic difficulties.
The organisation called on the Tinubu administration to allow credible opposition voices to thrive and ensure that future elections remain free, fair and transparent. It warned against any attempt to weaken democratic processes or create an atmosphere that could threaten the country’s democratic system.
Afenifere said Nigerians still hope for a better future where security, economic stability, fairness and democratic principles will prevail, urging the government to change course and place the interests of citizens above politics and personal interests.
