As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his second year in office, prominent human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has delivered a scathing critique of the administration, labeling the past two years a “colossal failure” marked by economic mismanagement, escalating insecurity, and policies that favour the elite over ordinary Nigerians.
Sowore, who ran for office under the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 general elections, issued the statement via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, aligning his criticism with the date Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
“Today marks Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year in office as President. A President who takes two years to build just 30km of a 700km highway is a FAILURE,” Sowore wrote, referencing the controversial Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project — a multi-billion-naira infrastructure initiative flagged for its slow pace and opaque contracting process.
Sowore’s message underscores widespread public frustration over the state of Nigeria’s economy, crumbling infrastructure, and deteriorating national security. He accused the administration of misaligned priorities that have enriched the political elite while plunging average Nigerians deeper into poverty.
Central to Sowore’s attack is the drastic depreciation of the Nigerian Naira under Tinubu’s watch. “A man who met the other exchange rate at N400 and pushed it to N1,600 is a FAILURE,” he declared, drawing attention to the currency’s free fall in the parallel market and the corresponding rise in inflation.
Since Tinubu assumed office, his administration has implemented a floating exchange rate system, which has led to significant volatility and spurred inflation across sectors. Food prices, transport fares, and housing costs have all surged, squeezing millions already struggling to survive.
Despite efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stabilize the forex market, the naira remains under pressure, prompting economists to warn of long-term structural imbalances and weak investor confidence.
Sowore also lambasted the government’s controversial fuel subsidy removal policy, which Tinubu announced during his inauguration. While the move was praised by international financial institutions for its fiscal boldness, critics say it has left the country’s poor vulnerable to skyrocketing fuel costs without meaningful social safety nets.
“A man who ended the petrol subsidy for people with low incomes but still subsidizes corrupt government officials and lawmakers in the name of budget padding is a FAILURE,” Sowore wrote.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that average petrol prices have more than tripled since the subsidy was removed, forcing businesses to raise prices and laying off staff as operational costs soar.
On the security front, Sowore expressed concern over the continued spread of terrorism beyond the traditional hotspots of Borno and Yobe States. “A man who met Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe but let them move down south to Kogi is a FAILURE,” he warned.
Security experts have confirmed a recent uptick in terrorist activities in parts of Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa states, where sleeper cells and splinter groups are reportedly establishing new strongholds. According to the Nigerian Security Tracker, over 4,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent incidents across the country since mid-2023.
Despite repeated assurances by security chiefs and the Presidency, public confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property has waned, with banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder clashes still rampant.
Government spokespersons have pointed to ongoing reforms in fiscal policy, infrastructure development, and digital economy expansion as evidence of progress. In a statement last week, Presidential Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Tinubu’s leadership as “bold, forward-looking, and impactful.”
However, critics argue that such claims lack tangible results for ordinary citizens. The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, which has yet to reach 5% completion after two years, remains symbolic of larger concerns over inefficiency and misallocation of resources.
Sowore’s harsh critique aligns with those of other opposition figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who also described Tinubu as “incompetent and anti-people” in a separate anniversary message. Atiku’s statement emphasized Tinubu’s failure to address Nigeria’s economic and security challenges decisively, calling for a more people-centered leadership model.
As political alignments begin to shift ahead of the 2027 general elections, Sowore’s message may signal a more aggressive opposition front. He has consistently positioned himself as a voice for the disenfranchised and a critic of elite-driven governance. His latest remarks further cement his role as a vocal opponent of Tinubu’s policies and presidency.
While Tinubu’s administration insists that reforms take time to yield results, the growing disconnect between policy announcements and lived realities for millions of Nigerians continues to feed discontent.
As the President enters his third year in office, mounting criticisms from activists, economists, and political leaders alike suggest that the road to recovery will require not just reforms, but inclusive and transparent governance that prioritizes ordinary Nigerians over privileged elites.