The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying they have worsened hardship and increased the cost of living for many Nigerians.

Makinde said this on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the unveiling of the APM’s governorship, senatorial and House of Assembly candidates.

The governor, represented by a party leader, Hon. Babatunde Tijani, said Nigeria required a comprehensive reset of its economy, security and governance, arguing that recent economic reforms had placed undue pressure on citizens.

According to him, the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira were implemented without adequate measures to cushion their impact on ordinary Nigerians.

“We have to reset Nigeria in every respect—our economy, our security and the overall well-being of the people. Before now, many Nigerians could sleep with both eyes closed because they felt relatively safe. Can we honestly say that is still the case today?” he asked.

Makinde argued that the government should have prioritised citizens’ welfare before introducing the reforms.

“A right-thinking government should not remove fuel subsidies without first putting adequate palliative measures in place to cushion the impact on ordinary citizens. Instead, the subsidy was removed, and at the same time, the naira was floated, placing additional economic pressure on Nigerians.

“No country should implement such far-reaching economic policies simultaneously without considering their effects on the people,” he added.

“Today, many Nigerians can no longer afford three square meals a day. Compare the price of fuel before with what it is today, and the hardship facing citizens becomes obvious.

“Yet, despite these realities, the government continues to celebrate its policies. The true measure of any economic policy is its impact on the lives of the people, and Nigerians are yet to experience the expected relief,” he said.

The Oyo governor also expressed concern over the rising cost of living, saying many Nigerians could no longer afford basic necessities.

Also speaking at the event, APM Chairman Sanyaolu Abayomi urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and support leaders capable of addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.

He said the country needed a new direction that prioritised the welfare of citizens, noting that many families were struggling to pay school fees and meet other basic needs.

Abayomi questioned the government’s claim that the economy was improving, arguing that ordinary Nigerians had yet to experience the benefits.

“Policies that have far-reaching effects on the lives of the people should not be introduced without adequate cushioning measures to protect ordinary Nigerians. What we are asking for are temporary relief measures that will reduce the hardship while long-term economic reforms take effect.

“You cannot implement several painful economic policies at the same time and expect the people not to suffer. The welfare of the people should always come first.

“Consider the price of fuel and compare what Nigerians paid before with what they are paying today. The government says it has stabilised the exchange rate, but Nigerians are asking: from what level to what level? The naira rose to about N1,500 to the dollar, dropped to around N1,300, and the government celebrates that as an achievement. Ordinary Nigerians are yet to feel the impact of those improvements,” he said.

Abayomi added that the APM was offering Nigerians an alternative political platform and appealed to eligible voters to obtain their PVCs and support the party’s candidates in future elections. (Daily Trust)

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