Two years of Tinubu’s government a monumental disaster – JAF
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his second year in office, the Joint Action Front (JAF), a coalition of civil society and pro-labour groups, has described the administration as a “monumental disaster,” citing worsening economic hardship, rising poverty, and clampdowns on democratic rights.
In a press statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, JAF strongly criticized the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, labeling them as anti-poor and aligned with policies dictated by international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
“From the moment he declared ‘Petrol Subsidy is Gone’ at his inauguration, Tinubu has pursued a vicious regime of neo-liberal capitalist policies,” the statement read, referring to the sharp increase in fuel prices, electricity tariffs, and school fees, as well as the continuous devaluation of the naira.
According to JAF, these policies have triggered a deep cost-of-living crisis, pushing millions of Nigerians into poverty. “Mass hunger, economic hardship and deepening insecurity have defined the last two years,” the group noted.
Beyond the economic concerns, JAF accused the government of shrinking civic space and attacking fundamental freedoms. “The Tinubu regime has adopted repression as state policy — stifling free speech, criminalizing protest, and detaining dissenters,” the group said.
JAF specifically called for the immediate release of several young activists arrested during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests.
The group expressed concern over the continued detention and trial of Michael Adaramoye, Daniel Akande, and others who face grave charges, including treason, for merely carrying placards.
The group also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to step up their resistance to what it described as “anti-poor policies” and defend the rights of working people more vigorously.
“The absence of sustained mass resistance from organized labour has emboldened the regime,” JAF stated, calling for a more aggressive stance against the administration’s policies.
Furthermore, JAF cautioned against relying on any of the major political parties for change, noting that both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi had campaigned on similar economic platforms as President Tinubu.
“We need a genuine working people’s party that promotes an alternative socio-economic agenda,” the group insisted, advocating for a complete system overhaul away from capitalism to a socialist order that prioritizes the welfare of the majority.
JAF concluded by reaffirming its commitment to building a movement capable of delivering what it called a “just system” for Nigeria one based on equity, democratic control of resources, and an end to exploitation.
