Cancellation of Arewa House Booking: Attempt to Suppress the Presentation of the Book Tinubu: From Renewed Hope to Despair

The Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT) has accused authorities of attempting to suppress the public presentation of its book, Tinubu: From Renewed Hope to Despair: A Critical Examination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Government, following the cancellation of its booking at Arewa House, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

In a press statement, CEDDERT said it received a letter from the management of Arewa House on Saturday, October 10, 2026, cancelling its booking of the hall for the public presentation of the book.

The organisation said it was not entirely surprised by the development, noting that several people had expressed fears that attempts might be made to prevent the event from taking place after invitations were sent out.

According to CEDDERT, these concerns were based on what it described as the increasingly intolerant disposition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some governors and their political loyalists, whom it accused of becoming increasingly unwilling to tolerate dissenting opinions and independent scrutiny.

The organisation stated that rather than engage critics with facts, defend their records and provide convincing answers to the challenges confronting Nigerians, those in power appeared more concerned with controlling public discourse and protecting their political interests.

It added that any attempt to restrict critical expression raised serious questions about the commitment of those responsible to democratic principles, noting that its earlier fears had now become a reality.

CEDDERT said it had anticipated the possibility of the cancellation and made efforts to secure an alternative venue in Kaduna. However, it claimed that every hotel it approached had informed it that they had been warned not to accommodate the event.

The organisation said that if the reports were accurate, they pointed to a disturbing attempt to deny citizens their right to assemble, exchange ideas and critically examine the conduct of public officeholders.

It therefore announced that the book presentation would be relocated to Abuja, although it expressed concern that further attempts might be made to frustrate the event, including through the involvement of security agencies.
The reported pressure on Ahmadu Bello University to withdraw the use of Arewa House was also described as particularly troubling.

CEDDERT maintained that a university of ABU’s standing should defend intellectual freedom, independent inquiry and open debate by providing space for the examination of public affairs, including critical assessments of government policies and the conduct of political leaders.

It said the university should not become an instrument for suppressing opinions considered inconvenient by those in power, adding that such conduct would be inconsistent with the traditions and intellectual responsibilities of a university.

The organisation further stated that the book contained nothing that was not already in the public domain.
According to CEDDERT, the book examines the record of the Tinubu administration, interrogates its policies and assesses their implications for Nigeria’s economy, security, national unity and democratic development.

It explained that the purpose of the publication was to contribute to public understanding and stimulate informed debate, describing these as legitimate and necessary activities in a democracy.

CEDDERT argued that those who disagreed with its analysis or conclusions were free to challenge them with evidence, reasoned arguments and alternative explanations.

It added that they could publish their own assessments, organise public discussions or respond directly to the issues raised in the book, insisting that they should not seek to prevent the public from hearing arguments they disliked.

The organisation maintained that the proper response to criticism was engagement rather than suppression.

It further argued that attempts to prevent the book presentation would not answer the questions raised in the publication, alleviate the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, resolve the country’s security crisis or restore public confidence in government.

Instead, CEDDERT warned that such actions could deepen concerns about political intolerance, accountability and the shrinking space for democratic debate.

The organisation described it as particularly ironic that a book examining the performance of an elected government should encounter obstacles to its public presentation.

It stressed that elections confer the authority to govern but do not grant the right to silence criticism.

CEDDERT added that public office carries an obligation to account for decisions, policies and outcomes, insisting that citizens must remain free to scrutinise the record of those in power, question their actions and express conclusions that may be unwelcome to the government of the day.