In a blistering open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has expressed deep frustration and disappointment over the state of the nation, particularly regarding the worsening economic hardship Nigerians face. In the letter, Adams decried the perceived failures of Tinubu’s administration, accusing the president of neglecting the very citizens who placed their hopes in his leadership.
Adams, representing over 65 million Yoruba people across the South-West, including Edo, Delta, Kwara, and Kogi States, articulated the growing anger and dissatisfaction felt by millions of Nigerians. He remarked that despite Nigeria’s immense natural and human resources, past leaders have mismanaged the nation’s wealth, and Tinubu, who campaigned with promises of reform, has only deepened the despair.
“When you came with the ‘Emilokan’ mantra during the 2023 elections, many Nigerians believed you would bring change as a seasoned democrat exposed to modern governance. However, your actions since taking office have shattered these expectations. Many now feel deceived and abandoned,” Adams said.
One of the central grievances outlined in the letter is the soaring price of fuel, which has skyrocketed from less than N200 per litre in May 2023 to over N1000 today. As the Minister of Petroleum, Tinubu has faced harsh criticism for these reforms, which Adams described as “draconian” and “a brutal assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians.” He questioned the reasoning behind these policies, particularly as Nigerians continue to struggle under crippling inflation and unemployment.
Adams expressed concern about the president’s reliance on key economic advisors, including Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, and Yemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Both of whom served in Tinubu’s administration when he was Governor of Lagos State. Adams questioned their expertise, asking, “What exactly are the fiscal, economic, and financial briefings they give you daily to convince you that they know what they are doing?”
Beyond the economic turmoil, the letter also addressed the escalating insecurity across the country. Adams pointed to the rising number of kidnappings, murders, and general lawlessness, which have intensified since Tinubu took office. “From the North to the South, East to the West, Nigerians are being abducted and killed. It feels as if these bloodthirsty maniacs have been unleashed on us from the hottest part of hell,” Adams lamented.
Adams questioned Tinubu’s command over the country’s security apparatus, particularly the daily briefings from security chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja. He challenged the president to re-examine the operational strategies deployed to tackle insecurity, stating that Nigerians are fast losing faith in the government’s ability to protect them.
A particularly scathing part of the letter criticized the Tinubu administration’s response to public protests, especially those arising from economic hardship. Adams noted that many protesters had been arrested and charged with treason, while human rights activists and civil society organizations were increasingly targeted by security forces.
He reminded the president of his own history as a radical advocate for the people during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State and questioned why peaceful protest, once a democratic right, was now treated as a crime under his leadership. “Mr. President, you played a key role in mobilizing Nigerians to challenge the status quo. Why is it that now, under your government, protest has become a criminal offence? God is indeed Great!” Adams exclaimed.
In the letter, Adams urged Tinubu to reverse the recent fuel price hike, warning that further economic hardship could push Nigerians to the breaking point. “This is a huge recipe for crisis. Nigerians can no longer bear this economic hardship any longer,” he warned, suggesting that the government’s actions were out of touch with the realities on the ground.
He further criticized the administration’s handling of the petroleum sector, describing it as corrupt and opaque, and accused the president’s advisers of misleading him into believing that all was well. “Mr. President, if a few of your advisers are telling you that all is well, I can confidently inform you that they are your enemies,” he stated.
Adams also warned of the potential for widespread unrest if immediate steps were not taken to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. He likened the current trajectory of Tinubu’s administration to that of Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Nazi Germany, drawing a stark comparison to how democracies can quickly turn into dictatorships. “Your administration is using propaganda, coercion, and rough tactics to oppress Nigerians. How long do you think this strategy will last?” Adams asked pointedly.
The letter concludes with a sobering reminder of Tinubu’s campaign promises and the dashed hopes of millions of Nigerians who once believed in his vision for the country. Adams highlighted the severe economic challenges Nigerians are currently facing, citing an inflation rate of over 32%, an unemployment rate close to 40%, and millions of people sinking below the poverty line.
He urged Tinubu to reflect on his presidency so far, asking, “Are my reforms working?” In what could be interpreted as both a warning and an appeal, Adams ended by reminding the president that Nigeria is bigger than any individual and that the time for meaningful change is fast running out.
