The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá (Yoruba Union), has called on Nigerians to vote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu out of office in the 2027 general elections, accusing his administration of worsening insecurity, deepening economic hardship, and refusing to acknowledge the suffering of ordinary citizens.

The call was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the group’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and made available through its Home Director, Princess Balogun.

The organisation said Nigeria was “bleeding” under the current administration, alleging that despite the country’s mounting security and economic challenges, the President had continued to dismiss the concerns of suffering Nigerians.

“Our people have become beggars under Tinubu’s watch while hundreds of innocent citizens remain in the hands of Fulani terrorists waiting for ransom payments. The cost of living has become unbearable, yet the President does not want to listen to Nigerians,” the group said.

The Yoruba Union maintained that the Tinubu administration had failed to provide meaningful solutions to the nation’s most pressing problems, insisting that Nigerians should reject the President’s re-election bid in 2027.

The group also aligned itself with concerns recently raised by the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and other Catholic bishops, who reportedly told President Tinubu during a meeting that millions of Nigerians were grappling with severe economic hardship and worsening insecurity.

According to the organisation, rather than acknowledge those concerns and outline practical measures to address them, the President insisted that his administration’s policies were yielding positive results.

“The country is truly bleeding, but Tinubu neither wants to see the realities nor listen to the cries of Nigerians,” the statement added.

The group further cited the security situation in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, alleging that nearly 176 women and children abducted since February were still being held captive, while about 200 people had been killed, despite government assurances that security was improving.

It argued that deteriorating economic conditions had pushed many Nigerians into criminal activities as they struggled to survive.

“Many people have resorted to different forms of criminality because of the economic situation in the country, yet Tinubu insists that the economy is doing fine,” the organisation stated.

The Yoruba Union also accused the President and his family of being insulated from the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians because of the privileges associated with public office.

“Since Tinubu and his family enjoy taxpayers’ money, travel abroad, eat well and have access to every luxury they desire, they will never believe that millions of Nigerians are wallowing in poverty.

“They will never understand that hunger is killing people daily or that many Nigerians have died simply because they could not afford to buy medicines needed to treat themselves.”

The group equally blamed the administration for what it described as the growing insecurity across the country.

“Tinubu has institutionalised insecurity. Military generals are being killed and kidnapped, students are abducted and murdered, yet the government behaves as though nothing has happened,” it alleged.

It argued that the nation’s security challenges alone should be enough reason for Nigerians to reject the President at the next general election.

“The realities facing this country today are enough reasons for Nigerians to vote Tinubu out in 2027,” the statement said.

The organisation also expressed concern over the plight of Nigerians in the diaspora who returned home to invest after government appeals, alleging that many had instead been subjected to intimidation, multiple taxation and destruction of their businesses.

“Many Nigerians who were encouraged to return home and invest are now regretting their decisions. Some obtained loans abroad to finance businesses in Nigeria, but instead of encouraging them, the government has continued to torment them, destroy their properties and burden them with numerous taxes,” it stated.

The Yoruba Union further accused security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, of abandoning their constitutional responsibilities and becoming instruments of political oppression.

“The country is truly bleeding, and security agencies like the DSS and the police, which ought to stand with the people, are now being used by the Tinubu government to oppress citizens.

“They are being used to arrest, detain and jail innocent Nigerians whose only offence is demanding good governance and accountability.”

Describing Nigeria as a “banana republic” under the current administration, the group called on Nigerians to unite behind credible leaders capable of restoring accountability, rebuilding public confidence and returning the country to the path of national progress.

“It is time for Nigerians to wake up from their slumber, unite and support credible leaders who can hold corrupt politicians accountable, recover Nigeria’s lost glory and restore the country’s dignity both in Africa and on the global stage,” the statement added.