President Bola Tinubu acknowledges that while poverty and hardship exist in Nigeria, the nation is not alone in facing these challenges. He also warns against vandalism of rail tracks and theft of electric cables, labeling these acts as sabotage.
Tinubu asserts that his administration must confront the tough economic landscape, pledging that he will not abandon Nigeria no matter the difficulties. Speaking in Lagos during a visit from the National Assembly delegation on Monday night, he urged citizens to adopt a new value system for progress.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party (LP) slammed Tinubu’s remarks, arguing he should focus on addressing poverty rather than making excuses. They accused him of worsening poverty and demanded he take responsibility.
Tinubu acknowledged the suffering in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to tackle challenges such as banditry and terrorism to ensure farmers can safely bring their produce to market. He highlighted the importance of infrastructure, noting that poor road conditions result in significant food loss and increased costs.
The President emphasized the necessity for a value system change, urging Nigerians to stop economic sabotage, such as rail track vandalism and cable theft. He called for a mindset shift towards productivity and national pride to overcome current challenges.
Led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the delegation included Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Benjamin Kalu. They visited Tinubu to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir and express their support.
Akpabio praised Tinubu’s leadership and assured that the National Assembly would work on improving legislation to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The Labour Party criticized Tinubu’s comments, accusing him of mocking Nigerians’ suffering. National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh reminded Tinubu that he was elected to reduce poverty, not exacerbate it. He pointed out the administration’s focus on luxury expenditures, such as renovating presidential lodges and acquiring new jets, while neglecting essential sectors like education and healthcare.
Ifoh urged Tinubu to adhere to the constitution, which mandates that the government prioritize the security and welfare of its citizens.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticized Tinubu’s administration. Through his Special Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku accused the government of promoting negative values like corruption and wastefulness. He called for clear strategies to combat banditry and terrorism, rather than merely acknowledging the issues.
Atiku condemned Tinubu’s economic policies, which he said have worsened poverty through poorly planned measures. He highlighted the lack of transparency in the administration, especially concerning fuel subsidies, accusing Tinubu of lying to divert funds.
The former vice president argued that Tinubu’s policies have led to deeper economic troubles and called for more effective governance to address the multifaceted poverty affecting Nigerians.
