Former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has delivered a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring that the much-promoted “Renewed Hope” agenda has only ushered in widespread hardship and deepened the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, on Tuesday, Oyinlola said the Tinubu-led government has failed to deliver on its promises, warning that the nation is being dragged deeper into economic distress, insecurity, and poverty.
“When he was campaigning, he promised a Renewed Hope. What we are seeing now is nothing short of bad governance. The economy is in terrible shape, and it’s affecting every Nigerian,” Oyinlola said.
He cited rising poverty, high cost of living, insecurity, and a failing healthcare system as indicators of what he described as the government’s inability to manage national affairs.
“We have a very bad economy, bad security, and hard-biting poverty. The common man cannot afford basic medication. We are also plagued by religious tension, war, banditry, terrorism, and insurgency. What we have is renewed agony not renewed hope,” he added.
Oyinlola’s comment comes just days after the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Governor Ademola Adeleke, endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Osogbo on July 22nd.
The former governor, however, distanced himself from the endorsement, describing it as a strategic political move rather than a genuine expression of support or ideological agreement.
He made it clear that he has no intention of returning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite being part of the founding merger in 2013.
Oyinlola further alleged that many governors across the country were under pressure to defect to the APC, warning that such political manipulation undermines democracy.
He revealed that the Tinubu-led Presidency has held meetings with Osun State’s governor in a bid to woo him into the ruling party, a move he warned could backfire due to APC’s lack of popularity in the state.
“If he rolls over and the people rule him out, that’s double jeopardy. He is in serious dilemma and I really pity him,” Oyinlola said.
He urged Governor Adeleke to prioritise the interests of the people and push for the release of withheld local government allocations rather than yielding to political pressure.
