Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has expressed deep concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, which he describes as unjust and burdensome on the average Nigerian. In an interview with Arise TV, Adebayo emphasized that while the government calls for citizens to endure economic hardships, the President himself appears disconnected from the realities of the common man.
Adebayo critiqued the narrative that blames former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for the current economic challenges. He pointed out that President Tinubu himself vowed to continue from where Buhari left off, thus sharing in the responsibility for the nation’s current state. Adebayo argued that the continuity of policies that have led to the present economic strain is a clear indication that the administration has not deviated from its predecessor’s approach.
He further criticized the government’s approach to managing the economy, likening it to tightening a belt around the neck of the people, making survival difficult for many. Adebayo highlighted that basic necessities such as food, energy, and healthcare are non-discretionary for families, and yet, these are the areas where the government has made life increasingly difficult. He contrasted this with the discretionary spending of the government, questioning the priorities of those in power. According to Adebayo, the administration is more focused on acquiring luxuries than addressing the essential needs of its citizens, which he sees as a form of economic injustice.
In his concluding remarks, Adebayo accused the Tinubu administration of failing to govern effectively. He asserted that while those in power occupy influential positions, they are not fulfilling the responsibilities that come with them, leaving Nigerians to bear the brunt of poor governance.