A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Osun State, Funso Babarinde, has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the economic challenges facing Nigerians, stating bluntly that "Nigerians are not smiling" due to ongoing hardships.
Speaking during a live radio current affairs programme, Frank Talk on Rave FM in Osogbo on Wednesday, Babarinde urged the president and his economic team to provide solutions to insecurity, food security challenges, and declining agricultural output.
"The government should do more because Nigerians are not smiling. Statistics reeled out everyday do not translate to reality when it comes to Nigeria," Babarinde stated.
Fuel Subsidy Removal Impact
The PDP chieftain identified the removal of fuel subsidy as a major policy that has negatively affected Nigerians over the past two years, noting that the economy has yet to recover from this decision.
"Although they are doing a lot of things to put the economy on the right path, that singular act has affected almost every Nigerian and we are yet to come out of the woods," he remarked.
Despite his criticisms, Babarinde acknowledged some positive initiatives under the Tinubu administration, particularly the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for students in higher institutions, which he said gives hope to students regardless of their background. However, he expressed concern about employment prospects for beneficiaries after graduation.
Security and Corruption Concerns
Babarinde urged the Federal Government to improve national security, particularly intelligence gathering. He also highlighted persistent food inflation and reduced purchasing power despite government palliatives and minimum wage adjustments.
The PDP chieftain criticized the administration's approach to fighting corruption, claiming there is "a lack of consequences for wrongdoing" that encourages misconduct. "The current government is not doing enough to prosecute corrupt Nigerians even among politicians in the ruling party," he added.
APC's Defense of Tinubu's Performance
In response, Jamiu Olawumi, a former Special Adviser on Education to ex-governor Adegboyega Oyetola, defended President Tinubu's two-year performance, giving him high marks in security and economic reform efforts.
Olawumi argued that the president has been working to "rejig, rebuild and give assurance of a better life to Nigerians." He described Tinubu's economic reforms as "a bold mix of very hard decisions" that may be painful initially but necessary for long-term improvement.
"It is not President Bola Tinubu's fault that people are not reflective of the economic reality on ground? That prices are not reflective of the changes that have been so far achieved?" Olawumi questioned, adding that "Nigeria has a very wrong attitude to self-development and patriotism."
He called for national reconstruction and collective effort, stating that Nigerians now have a clearer understanding of what can be achieved under the Tinubu administration.
