Amnesty International Condemns Cancellation of Tinubu Book Presentation in Kaduna

Amnesty International has condemned the cancellation of a planned public presentation of a book critically examining President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the decision as an attack on freedom of expression.

The human rights organisation, in a press release dated October 11, 2026, accused the authorities of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, of yielding to political pressure over the planned presentation of Tinubu: From Renewed Hope to Despair: A Critical Examination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Government.

The event, organised by the Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria, was scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at Arewa House, Kaduna.

Amnesty International expressed concern that efforts by the organisers to secure an alternative venue in Kaduna were unsuccessful, alleging that hotels and event centres approached declined to host the event because they had been warned against accommodating it.

The organisation said the book, which examines government policies and their implications for Nigerians, was already in the public domain and constituted a legitimate form of peaceful intellectual engagement.

It argued that preventing its public presentation raised concerns about the protection of freedom of expression and the ability of citizens to scrutinise government policies.

Amnesty International further warned that attempts to prevent the event reflected what it described as a growing pattern of intolerance towards dissenting opinions in Nigeria.

According to the organisation, such restrictions risk creating an atmosphere of fear in which citizens find it increasingly difficult to express views critical of those in authority.

It maintained that the presentation of a book examining government policies posed no threat to public peace and should not be obstructed.

The rights group called on the authorities of Ahmadu Bello University to uphold freedom of expression and immediately and unconditionally reverse the cancellation of the booking for Arewa House.

It also urged the protection of the rights to freedom of expression and association, stressing the importance of allowing peaceful intellectual engagement and public debate in a democratic society.