*Author alleges efforts to frustrate launch…as Amnesty International expresses concern over fear of intimidation, call for reversal
By Ola Kay
The management of Arewa House, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria has withdrawn its approval for the presentation of a book believed to be critical of President Bola Tinubu’s government. The management cited what it regarded as operational considerations for its decision.
But author of the said book, Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, who is the Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT), alleged efforts to frustrate the launch by the authorities and restrict public discussion of the policies of the Tinubu administration.
Mohammed stated this in a statement on Sunday, after the notice of a cancellation letter from Arewa House dated Saturday, October 10.
According to the author of the book, public presentation was earlier planned for Thursday, October 15, at 10am, at Arewa House, which is a research and historical documentation centre of the ABU, Zaria, located in Kaduna.
A Daily Trust report, which cited information about the development, quote the management of Arewa House as saying that the facility would not be available as a result of “post-examination inspection, maintenance and general preparations following an ongoing examination exercise.”
The letter, dated October 8 and signed by Dalhatu Mahmoud, Administrative Secretary, for the Director, Professor Aliyu Yahaya, said the approval previously granted for the use of the facility was no longer in effect.
“The Management acknowledges the preparations your organisation may have made towards the proposed event and regrets any inconvenience this development may cause,” the letter stated.
Muhammed added that the organisers had foreseen possible bottlenecks after invitations were sent out, while also adding that some people had already hinted that steps might be taken to prevent the event from taking place.
The CEDDERT executive director further disclosed that efforts to secure an alternative venue in Kaduna had also been futile. He alleged that some hotels approached by the organisers said they had been warned not to accommodating the book launch.
Muhammed stated that, following the changes encountered, the organisers had decided to move the event to Abuja, where a new venue and date would be announced later.
The controversial book, titled Tinubu: From Renewed Hope to Despair: A Critical Examination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Government, examines the administration’s policies and their implications for Nigeria’s economy, security, national unity and democratic development.
Mohammed blame pressures on ABU from certain quarters to withdraw the use of Arewa House, arguing that academic and research institutions should encourage intellectual freedom and open debate.
He said: “A university of ABU’s standing should be a defender of intellectual freedom, independent inquiry and open debate.”
According to him, apart from being perceived as critical, the book was intended to contribute to public understanding of the current administration’s performance and stimulate discussion about its policies.
He argued that, Nathan than result to discouraging intellectual work, those who disagree with the information contained in the book should challenge the organizers with evidence.
“If those in power disagree with our analysis or conclusions, they are free to challenge them with evidence, reasoned arguments and alternative explanations,” Muhammed said.
Mohammed added that winning an election did not give public office holders the right to silence criticism, stressing that elected leaders had a responsibility to account for their policies and decisions.
Also, Amnesty International has condemned the cancellation, describing the development as an attack on freedom of expression.
The human rights organisation, in a press release dated October 11, 2026 posted on its verified Facebook page, accused the authorities of ABU, Zaria, of succumbing to political pressure by cancelling the booking of Arewa House, Kaduna, for the event.
Amnesty International also expressed concern over alleged attempts to prevent the organisers from securing an alternative venue in Kaduna.
The organisation described the development as part of what it called an escalating pattern of political repression and intolerance of dissenting opinions in the country.
According to Amnesty International, the book’s examination of government policies and their implications for Nigerians constitutes legitimate intellectual engagement and does not pose a threat to public peace.
“The Nigerian authorities must end these undemocratic patterns of attack on freedom of expression,” the statement said.
It argued that preventing the presentation of a book already in the public domain raised concerns about the ability of citizens to express critical views of government policies without fear of intimidation.
The organisation warned that such developments could create a climate of fear in which expressing dissenting opinions becomes increasingly difficult.
Amnesty International called on the authorities of Ahmadu Bello University to uphold freedom of expression and association, urging them to immediately and unconditionally reverse the cancellation of the Arewa House booking.
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