Former Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign, citing worsening insecurity and deepening economic hardship across Nigeria.
Aregbesola made the remarks while addressing delegates at the ongoing ADC National Convention in Abuja, where he delivered a strongly worded critique of the current administration. He described the President’s “Renewed Hope” agenda as misleading, arguing that it has failed to translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
In his speech, the former Osun State governor accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of poor governance and alleged manipulation of the political system. He criticised what he described as attempts to portray political actions that undermine opposition parties as strategic moves, insisting that such actions amount to “criminality” rather than genuine political strategy.
According to him, the ADC remains committed to democratic values and derives its legitimacy from the Nigerian Constitution and the will of the people. He stressed that the party’s mission is to “rescue” the country from what he called the “strangulating grip” of the ruling party, while defending citizens’ rights to freely associate and participate in politics.
Aregbesola also took aim at the government’s economic policies, particularly the depreciation of the naira and rising cost of living. He noted that the exchange rate, which hovered around ₦700 to the dollar in the open market when the administration assumed office in 2023, has risen to about ₦1,400, a development he said has severely affected an import-dependent economy.
He further highlighted the sharp increase in fuel prices, stating that petrol, which previously sold between ₦185 and ₦238 per litre, now costs around ₦1,400 in many parts of the country. According to him, the surge has led to a significant rise in transportation costs, making it increasingly difficult for workers to commute to their places of employment.
The former minister criticised the administration’s performance in the power sector, recalling campaign promises to deliver stable electricity. He alleged that power supply has worsened, with some areas receiving only a few hours of electricity daily, while others experience prolonged blackouts lasting weeks or even months.
He argued that, given these challenges, an “honest leader” should consider stepping down rather than seeking re-election. Aregbesola accused the administration of making desperate efforts to retain power, warning that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s democratic system.
On security, Aregbesola condemned the continued wave of violent attacks across the country, which he said have resulted in significant loss of lives. He described the situation as evidence of the government’s failure to protect citizens and alleged that authorities have shown insufficient empathy in responding to national tragedies.
He also raised concerns about the state of education and rising poverty levels, claiming that the number of out-of-school children has increased from 18.3 million to nearly 20 million. According to him, more Nigerians are being pushed into extreme poverty under the current administration.
Aregbesola warned that the country is “drifting” and called for urgent action to reverse the trend. He urged Nigerians to support the ADC’s “rescue mission,” emphasising that decisive action is needed to address the nation’s challenges.
“There is no time to waste,” he told delegates, calling on citizens to take a stand, warning that neutrality in the face of the country’s current situation amounts to complicity.
