Lagos, Nigeria – October 11, 2025 – In a pointed critique that has ignited fierce debate across social media and political circles, prominent Nigerian activist Aisha Yesufu has unraveled what she sees as the disconnect between the government’s narrative and the harsh realities faced by millions of ordinary citizens. Yesufu, the fiery co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, took to her X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday to explain why the administration under President Bola Tinubu might genuinely believe Nigerians are not enduring economic hardship—despite skyrocketing inflation, fuel prices, and a cost-of-living crisis that has pushed countless families to the brink.
“Why won’t the government say Nigerians are lying when they say there is suffering in the land? The same people suffering are the ones at the forefront of defending the government,” Yesufu wrote in her viral post, which has garnered thousands of reactions within hours. Her words cut deep, highlighting a paradoxical loyalty among the most affected demographics: low-income earners, petty traders, and everyday workers who, despite personal ruin, rally online and in public to shield the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from criticism.
Yesufu amplified her message by quoting human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, adding: “It is baffling that a person that does not have N1 million to pay his house rent is defending a regime that has wrecked the country’s economy and impoverished Nigerians.” Effiong’s observation underscores the irony—many Nigerians struggling to afford basic shelter are the same voices flooding comment sections with praise for policies like the 2023 fuel subsidy removal, which Tinubu announced during his inauguration and which has since tripled petrol prices, eroded purchasing power, and triggered food inflation exceeding 40%.
The 51-year-old activist, born in Kano and now a businesswoman based in Kaduna, has long been a thorn in the side of Nigeria’s political elite. From leading the 2014 protests against Boko Haram’s abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls to her vocal role in the 2020 #EndSARS uprising against police brutality, Yesufu embodies unyielding advocacy. Named one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine in 2020 and among the 50 Most Impactful Voices for International Women’s Day in 2023, she wields her platform not for personal gain but to amplify the voiceless. In this instance, her commentary arrives amid escalating public discontent: just last month, protests erupted in Abuja and Lagos over naira devaluation and electricity tariffs, with citizens chanting “We are hungry!” Yet, government officials, including Information Minister Mohammed Idris, have repeatedly countered that “reforms are painful but necessary,” dismissing widespread suffering reports as exaggerated.
Yesufu’s post has struck a chord, sparking a torrent of responses. Supporters hailed her for naming the “Stockholm syndrome” gripping the populace, with one user replying, “Aisha just said the quiet part out loud—our poverty is being weaponized against us.” Critics, however, accused her of divisiveness, arguing that loyalty stems from hope in long-term gains rather than denial. The discourse has even drawn in opposition figures like Labour Party’s Peter Obi, whom Yesufu has backed, further fueling speculation ahead of the 2027 elections.
At its heart, Yesufu’s revelation exposes deeper fractures in Nigeria’s democracy: a governance model where feedback loops are skewed by sycophancy and economic despair. As the nation grapples with a GDP growth rate lagging behind population expansion and youth unemployment hovering at 50%, her words serve as a wake-up call. Will the irony she describes—sufferers as defenders—finally shatter, or will it entrench the status quo? For now, Yesufu remains undeterred, her voice a rallying cry in the digital trenches of Nigeria’s unfolding battle for accountability.