Tinubu Praises Party Unity, Faces Criticism Over Social Hardship and Governance Style By Emman Usman Shehu
At Eagle Square on March 27, 2026, President Bola Tinubu addressed the All Progressives Congress (APC) during its 4th elective national convention. His speech, framed around the theme “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda,” sought to project cohesion and optimism three years into a presidency defined by bold, yet controversial, economic reforms.
But beneath the formal tone lay tensions that the address did not acknowledge: a party still grappling with factionalism, public discontent over austerity measures, and rising concerns about authoritarian tendencies.
Tinubu celebrated the APC’s 2013 origins as a pragmatic coalition formed to correct the perceived failures of the PDP and paid tribute to founding figures, including the late President Muhammadu Buhari. He claimed the party’s greatest strength was its unity. Critics, however, note that defections now hailed as “voluntary endorsements” are often facilitated by political incentives, highlighting the fragile nature of this so-called unity.
The president defended his Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the naira flotation. While these reforms have improved government revenue and moderated headline inflation (down to 15.06% in February 2026), they inflicted significant hardship. Fuel prices surged from N190 to N950 per litre, pushing millions of low-income households deeper into poverty. Social protection measures helped somewhat, but welfare conditions remain worse than before. Analysts warn that framing these sacrifices as long-term prosperity may increasingly feel hollow to citizens struggling with daily costs.
Tinubu also defended the Electoral Act 2026, dismissing opposition concerns as a “disservice” to the legislative process. Critics highlight the controversial manner of the amendment’s passage, rushed provisions for electronic results transmission, and removal of penalties for certificate forgery—all raising questions about fairness ahead of the 2027 elections.
Perhaps most worrying to observers are signs of a creeping authoritarian tilt. Peaceful protests in 2024, such as #EndBadGovernance, resulted in hundreds of arrests, including minors, under charges of treason or terrorism. Digital crackdowns targeted journalists and citizens alike, with reports of over 140 attacks on online expression. Furthermore, selective anti-corruption enforcement fuels perceptions of bias: high-profile cases against defectors often vanish once they join the APC. The recent plea bargain of former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah, resolved after her defection, has sparked controversy and reinforced these perceptions.
While Tinubu reaffirmed the importance of opposition voices, actions on the ground suggest dissent is tolerated only if polite and deferential. Rising insecurity, youth unemployment, and widening inequality underscore that Nigerians need tangible relief, not speeches promising a better tomorrow.
In essence, the APC convention projected unity and forward momentum, but analysts and critics argue that the event also revealed the party’s vulnerabilities: social hardship, institutional favoritism, and the centralization of authority. True progress, they argue, will require not just rhetorical unity but accountability, impartial governance, and protection of dissenting voices.
Dr. Shehu is an Abuja-based writer, activist, and educator.
