The management of Arewa House, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has withdrawn approval for a book presentation examining President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing operational considerations.
The cancellation has triggered allegations of political interference from the book’s author, Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT), while Amnesty International has condemned the development as an attack on freedom of expression.
Mohammed disclosed the cancellation in a statement issued on Sunday after receiving a letter from Arewa House on Saturday, October 10.
The book presentation, initially scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at 10 a.m., was expected to take place at Arewa House, a research and historical documentation centre of ABU located in Kaduna.
Arewa House Cites Operational Reasons
In a cancellation letter dated October 8, the management said the facility would no longer be available because of post-examination inspection, maintenance and general preparations following an ongoing examination exercise.
The letter, signed by Dalhatu Mahmoud, Administrative Secretary, on behalf of the Director, Professor Aliyu Yahaya, stated that the approval previously granted for the use of the facility was no longer valid.
“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.
Daily Trust reported that attempts to obtain a reaction from Professor Yahaya through text messages and telephone calls were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.
Author Alleges Attempt to Frustrate Event
Mohammed, however, alleged that the cancellation was an attempt to frustrate the presentation and restrict public discussion of the Tinubu administration’s policies.
He said the organisers had anticipated possible challenges after invitations were sent out, adding that some people had expressed concerns that efforts might be made to prevent the event from taking place.
The CEDDERT executive director further alleged that attempts to secure an alternative venue in Kaduna had proved unsuccessful, claiming that some hotels approached by the organisers said they had been warned against hosting the event.
These allegations have not been independently established, and the university management has not publicly responded to them in the account provided.
Following the difficulties, Mohammed said the organisers had decided to relocate the presentation to Abuja, where a new venue and date would be announced after the necessary arrangements had been concluded.
Book Examines Tinubu’s Policies
The 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 expressed concern over what he described as pressure on ABU to withdraw permission for the use of Arewa House, arguing that academic and research institutions should promote intellectual freedom and open debate.
“A university of ABU’s standing should be a defender of intellectual freedom, independent inquiry and open debate,” he said.
He maintained that the publication was intended to contribute to public understanding of the government’s performance and stimulate discussion about its policies.
According to Mohammed, those who disagree with the book’s findings should challenge its arguments through evidence and reasoned debate rather than attempt to prevent its presentation.
“If those in power disagree with our analysis or conclusions, they are free to challenge them with evidence, reasoned arguments and alternative explanations,” he said.
He 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.
Amnesty International Condemns Cancellation
Amnesty International has condemned the withdrawal of the booking, describing the development as an attack on freedom of expression.
In a press release dated October 11, 2026, published on its verified Facebook page, the human rights organisation accused the authorities of ABU, Zaria, of succumbing to political pressure by cancelling the booking at Arewa House.
The organisation also expressed concern over the alleged difficulties faced by the organisers in securing an alternative venue in Kaduna.
Amnesty International described the incident as part of what it characterised as an escalating pattern of political repression and intolerance of dissenting opinions in Nigeria.
It argued that examining government policies and their implications for citizens constituted legitimate intellectual engagement and should not be treated as a threat to public peace.
“The Nigerian authorities must end these undemocratic patterns of attack on freedom of expression,” the statement said.
The organisation warned that preventing the presentation of a book already in the public domain raised concerns about the ability of citizens to express critical opinions about government policies without fear of intimidation.
It further cautioned that such developments could create an environment in which people become reluctant to express dissenting views.
Amnesty International called on the authorities of Ahmadu Bello University to uphold freedom of expression and association and urged them to immediately and unconditionally reverse the cancellation of the Arewa House booking.
Freedom of Expression Debate Intensifies
The controversy has renewed attention on the relationship between academic institutions, public criticism and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
While Arewa House cited operational reasons for withdrawing the approval, the author has alleged that the decision was intended to frustrate the event. Amnesty International has also called for the cancellation to be reversed.
The allegations of political interference and warnings reportedly issued to prospective venues remain unverified in the available account.
The organisers’ decision to move the event to Abuja means the book presentation may proceed outside Kaduna, although the new date and venue have yet to be announced.
The development has placed the role of universities and research institutions in facilitating public debate under renewed scrutiny, particularly when discussions concern the performance and policies of an incumbent administration.
For now, attention remains on whether the organisers will secure a new venue in Abuja and whether ABU’s management will respond to the concerns raised by the author and Amnesty International.
