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 deepened hardship and pushed up the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.
Makinde made the remarks on Monday during the unveiling of the APM’s governorship, senatorial and House of Assembly candidates in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was represented at the event by the party leader, Hon. Babatunde Tijani.
The governor said Nigeria requires a comprehensive reset of its economy, security and governance, arguing that recent policy decisions have imposed severe hardship on citizens.
“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 Federal Government should have introduced adequate measures to cushion the impact on citizens before removing the fuel subsidy and floating the naira.
“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 said.
He maintained that the rising cost of living and higher fuel prices have made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to meet basic needs, including feeding their families.
“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 added.
Also speaking, 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 nation needs a new direction that places the welfare of citizens at the centre of governance, noting that many households are struggling to pay school fees and meet other essential needs.
Abayomi questioned the Federal Government’s claims of economic improvement, insisting that ordinary Nigerians have yet to experience the benefits of the reforms.
“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 ₦1,500 to the dollar, dropped to around ₦1,300, 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 offers Nigerians an alternative political platform and urged eligible voters to obtain their PVCs and support the party’s candidates in future elections.
