Isaac Ajiboye
People’s Democratic Party PDP chieftain, Chief Olabode George, has likened Nigeria’s current state of economy and politics to that one of a patient in intensive care unit struggling to live.
This, he added, was responsible for the pervasive level of poverty and hardship across the nation.
He also slammed President Tinubu’s policies as wrong and inefficient, adding that they have not yielded satisfactory results for the general prosperity of Nigerians.
George who spoke during a media session in Lagos on Thursday, called on the President to urgently retrace his steps and reconnect with the yearnings of the masses.
George emphasised that the nation is in a critical state and requires the right leadership and solutions to reverse the current trend of retrogression, as evidenced by widespread public disenchantment. “When a body is undergoing such turmoil, it is often between life and death, necessitating political and economic ‘surgeons’ who can provide fresh perspectives to navigate out of this crisis,” he added.
He condemned the government’s strategy of mass food imports, calling it misguided. He suggested that funds used for importing expired food palliatives should instead be allocated to farmers through zero-interest loans, which would encourage local food production. He advocated for subsidized fertilizers and support for farmers, dismissing the idea of mass food imports as a “Stone Age policy.”
He also addressed the issue of inflation, linking it to the high-interest rates that burden many citizens. He proposed consulting former and current bank CEOs in closed-door meetings to tackle the round-tripping practices that stifle the economy.
On the oil industry, George questioned the government’s stance on fuel subsidies and the Malta crude controversy, expressing confusion over the narrative presented by Aliko Dangote.
He criticized President Tinubu for selling crude oil, the nation’s primary source of foreign exchange, to a single individual, asking how the country would generate the necessary foreign currency to manage its mounting debt.
Describing the nation as stagnant and the populace as unhappy, he remarked, “What do we have to look forward to? Tinubu’s tenure will end in just over two years, and the people’s voices will determine his fate. I commend Nigerians for speaking out and protesting peacefully. If you believe they voted for you, then you must listen to them.”
George highlighted the need for effective communication between the government and the public, criticizing the lack of visibility of the Minister of Information. He noted, “If the government had been proactive in its communication, perhaps there would have been no protests.”
He drew a comparison to the British electoral system, lamenting the inefficiency of Nigeria’s electoral process and holding the electoral commission accountable for its shortcomings.
