“You Can Insult and Attack the President and Still Go to Bed Without Midnight Troubles“ — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Says

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigerians are free to criticise, insult and verbally attack him without fear of facing consequences from his administration.

Tinubu, who spoke on Thursday, September 3, 2026, assured Nigerians that those who openly criticise his government or express strong opinions against him can go to bed peacefully at night without being subjected to reprisals.

The President made the remarks at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Daily Times of Nigeria Limited in Abuja, where he was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume.

The statement came amid discussions on press freedom, democratic accountability and the role of the media in Nigeria’s political development.

Tinubu said the administration’s willingness to tolerate criticism was a fundamental part of its Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that national renewal requires citizens to have the freedom to question, scrutinise and challenge those in power.

According to the President, the ability of Nigerians to criticise the government without fear is central to building a democratic society where freedom of expression and press freedom are respected.

“Let us admit that under this government, you can insult and attack the President and still go to bed without midnight troubles. This philosophy lies at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The task of national renewal requires the courage to understand where we have come from and confront what we have laid back and made difficult, necessary choices, but where we must go,” he said.

Tinubu’s remarks underscored his administration’s position that criticism, including harsh criticism of the President and government, should not automatically translate into intimidation or punishment.

The President also linked the broader principle to the difficult decisions required to reposition the country, saying national renewal demands an honest assessment of Nigeria’s past, a willingness to confront challenges and the courage to make necessary choices about the country’s future.

His comments at the anniversary celebration of one of Nigeria’s historic newspaper organisations further placed the media at the centre of the country’s democratic journey, particularly in holding public officials accountable and giving citizens a platform to express their views.

The Daily Times, one of Nigeria’s oldest newspaper institutions, has played a significant role in the nation’s media history, making its 100th anniversary an occasion that brought renewed attention to the relationship between government, the press and the Nigerian public.

Tinubu’s assurance therefore positioned freedom of expression and tolerance of criticism as important components of the administration’s claim to democratic governance under the Renewed Hope Agenda.