- Delta State governor Sheriff Oborevwori slammed President Tinubu’s economic policies, blaming them for worsening poverty and unemployment in Nigeria
- Oborevwori argued that the removal of the petroleum subsidy and the naira's floatation led to high inflation and devaluation, worsening Nigerians' economic woes
- The governor called for new government policies to tackle rising poverty and hunger while questioning the effectiveness of current economic strategies
The governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, has strongly criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, blaming them for exacerbating poverty, unemployment, and hunger in Nigeria.
He argued that the President’s policies, particularly the removal of the petroleum subsidy and the floating of the naira, have had negative consequences, including the devaluation of the naira and runaway inflation, effectively swallowing any potential benefits.
In a statement issued on Monday, December 16, by his executive assistant on New Media, Mr Felix Ofou, Governor Oborevwori called for the Nigerian government to embrace new policies aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Nigerian people.
He emphasised that it was time to implement measures that would tackle the rising levels of poverty and hardship.
Oborevwori’s remarks followed statements by the former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who had defended President Tinubu’s economic strategies. Omo-Agege claimed that the policies had resulted in increased federal allocations to state and local governments, economic growth, declining imports, higher exports, and improved incomes for farmers.
However, Governor Oborevwori disputed these claims, questioning the value of the increased funds in the face of mounting inflation, the collapse of the naira, and the widespread poverty affecting the country.
He expressed doubts about how any economic benefits could be realised amid the worsening financial crisis.
Oborevwori posed the question, “Can we talk of increased money in any state in Nigeria? What is the worth of such money in the face of galloping inflation, gross devaluation of the naira, unparalleled hunger, mass poverty, mass unemployment, and daily closure of major factories and multinationals in the country?”
The Delta governor further referenced reports from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which have highlighted the negative impact of Tinubu’s policies, particularly their role in turning Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world. According to these institutions, over 130 million Nigerians are currently living below the poverty line.
The South-southern leader also criticised Senator Omo-Agege’s stance, stating that advocating for these policies in Delta State was not a viable solution to the region’s economic challenges.
He questioned why anyone would recommend the same policies that have caused widespread economic hardship, labelling them “a model that has unleashed economic hardship on the people.”
“This is not a path desirable for Deltans and one they would want to embrace at this time,” Oborevwori added.
Tax Reform Bills: Afenifere endorses TInubu’s decision
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that Afenifere, a popular pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, officially expressed its support for the proposed tax reform bills in Nigeria.
The group saw the reforms as a crucial step toward boosting Nigeria's economic growth, particularly in the areas of revenue generation, infrastructure funding, and public service delivery.
