President of Ijaw Media Forum and Publisher of Shipping World Magazine, Elder Asu Beks has delivered a scathing assessment of President Bola Tinubu's two years in office, describing it as "a period of increased hunger, poverty and insecurity" for Nigerians.
In an exclusive interview with BenriNews, Beks criticized the administration's economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies which he claims has brought "untold hardship" rather than the promised benefits.
Two Years of Economic Hardship
"It is two years of hunger, two years of increased insecurity and two years of many Nigerians being moved into poverty. In fact, Nigeria is regarded as the poverty headquarters of the world," Beks stated.
The Ijaw leader acknowledged that while there was broad support for subsidy removal during the 2023 presidential campaigns, he criticized the government's approach to implementation. "If we're going to remove subsidies, the subsidy thieves must be dealt with," he said, questioning why those who benefited from the subsidy regime have not been prosecuted.
Beks also highlighted what he sees as government insincerity regarding the minimum wage negotiations. "You told the NLC that you won't take the N250,000 they are talking about, but if they accept N70,000, the government will not increase the prices of fuel. But, just the following week after the agreement, the petrol pump prices jumped up," he noted.
Criticism of Border Policies and Infrastructure Projects
The Ijaw leader pointed to the previous administration's border closure policy as a major contributor to Nigeria's economic challenges, while questioning the priorities of current infrastructure projects. "What is the economic effect of that coastal road that the government is constructing? If you are constructing a coastal rail line, I can even understand," he remarked.
On the exchange rate and borrowing, Beks expressed concern: "Look at the Naira to dollar, look at the minimum wage; the value of N30,000 in 2015, you can't compare it with the so-called N70,000 of 2025... All that this government has been doing is borrowing and borrowing and borrowing."
Rivers State Emergency Rule Controversy
Beks was particularly critical of President Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and contradictory to the President's democratic credentials.
"For the same Tinubu to come and do what he has done in Rivers State; he has dented his image as a democrat," Beks stated. "What we have seen now is a military coup; a military government in Rivers State. How do you even go to remove a governor, remove the deputy and remove the House of Assembly? What can be more illegal than that?"
He contrasted Tinubu's approach with former President Goodluck Jonathan's handling of emergency rule in northeastern states, where governors and state assemblies remained in place despite security interventions.
Praise for Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri
In contrast to his assessment of the federal government, Beks had high praise for Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri's five years in office, describing him as "focused and humble" with an "unparalleled" passion for development.
"Since the creation of Bayelsa State, we have seen governors come and go, but to be honest with you, from 1999 to date, those of us from Bayelsa have not seen a governor who is so focused and humble, and whose passion for the development of the state is unparalleled like Diri," he stated.
Beks highlighted Diri's infrastructure projects, particularly road networks connecting remote areas, and the governor's inclusive governance style that has seen him appoint commissioners from opposition parties.
He also noted Diri's achievements in electricity infrastructure, sports development, and attracting investments, including a recent memorandum of understanding with the Dangote Group for projects in agriculture, oil and gas, and port development.
"What he has achieved in these five years is unprecedented," Beks concluded about Governor Diri.
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