In a bold open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, voiced the growing frustration of millions of Nigerians over the state of the nation. Speaking on behalf of over 65 million Yoruba people and the broader Nigerian population, Iba Gani Adams expressed deep disappointment in Tinubu’s governance, highlighting economic hardship, rising insecurity, and perceived governmental insensitivity.
The letter, titled “State of the Nation,” conveyed the sentiments of Nigerians who believed Tinubu, with his “Emilokan” slogan, would usher in a period of growth and prosperity. Instead, Adams lamented that under the President’s watch, the cost of living had skyrocketed. “On May 29, 2023, fuel was under N200 per litre. Today, it’s over N1,000,” Adams stated, pointing out that Tinubu’s administration has failed to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
In his capacity as the Minister of Petroleum, Adams questioned the rationale behind the fuel price hikes and the economic management led by Tinubu’s long-time associates—Wale Edun, Finance Minister, and Yemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. “What exactly are they doing in those offices?” he asked, referring to the declining value of the Naira, now trading at a record low.
Adams also decried the increasing spate of insecurity, lamenting the rise in kidnappings and killings across the country. “It’s as though these blood-thirsty maniacs have been unleashed from the depths of hell,” he wrote, challenging Tinubu’s leadership as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Adams further questioned the reports Tinubu receives from his security chiefs, stating, “The insecurity across Nigeria begs the question of what kind of daily briefings you are receiving.”
Addressing the crackdown on protests and civil rights, Adams drew comparisons to Tinubu’s political activism, reminding the President of his role in mobilizing citizens to challenge the status quo. He criticized the arrest of protestors, asking, “Is carrying placards now considered treason in the comity of nations?”
The Aare Ona Kakanfo did not hold back in condemning the latest fuel price increase by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which he described as an attack on Nigerians. He warned that this decision, combined with the growing economic hardship, could lead to widespread unrest.
In a stern reminder, Adams evoked the memory of Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Nazi Germany, suggesting a parallel between the dictatorial tendencies of the past and what Nigerians are experiencing today. “If you don’t reverse this trend immediately, further hardship may trigger a crisis across the country,” he cautioned.
Adams closed the letter with a plea for the President to reflect on his campaign promises and make the necessary reforms before it is too late, emphasizing that Nigeria is bigger than any individual leader.
The open letter, now circulating widely on social media, has sparked a significant conversation about Tinubu’s leadership and the future direction of the country.
