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 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 Governor 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 concluded.
The criticism comes as the debate surrounding the economic direction of the country continues to grow, with political figures and experts divided on the effectiveness of the current government’s approach.
Governor Oborevwori’s statement reflects the frustration felt by many Nigerians who are struggling under the weight of economic instability and soaring costs of living.
