As President Bola Tinubu marks his second year in office, former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has criticized the administration’s handling of the economy, stating that it has failed to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
Suswam, speaking during a political interview on Wednesday, expressed concern over the economic hardship facing citizens under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government. He accused the government of neglecting the welfare of the people in its policy decisions.
“My assessments of this government, just like any other Nigerian, they have not done well at all, and I would say so because the indicators are all over the place,” Suswam said.
“As a student of global economics, I would like to say that when you embark on certain economic policies that will impact very negatively on the people that you govern, you must also in the same vein initiate factors that will mitigate the pains that will be experienced by these people.”
He further stated: “Unfortunately, you devalue your currency, you remove subsidy on energy and transportation. You have increased the MPR, that is the monetary policy rate, and so there’s no way that any country can survive that, especially a developing economy such as our own, more so that we’re not a producing country.”
Endorsements for Second Term
Despite criticisms, the president continues to receive strong backing from APC leaders. Governors under the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and members of the National Assembly recently passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu during the party’s national summit in Abuja.
Chairman of the PGF and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, said the forum was satisfied with the administration’s midterm review and the outcomes of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio added, “If he has not done well, is it not we that will give him notice of impeachment? We are not giving him notice of impeachment. In 2023, it was difficult for you but in 2027, I see everything turning around.”
Focus on the People, Not Endorsements
In contrast, Suswam advised President Tinubu to shift focus from political endorsements and instead address the needs of ordinary Nigerians, stressing that the people ultimately determine election outcomes.
“I don’t have any problem with a sitting president getting re-elected if all things are good. The coalition is being talked about; whoever thought that Peter, who had no governor, no senator, how many votes did he get? Five million.
“In most places, they said he won; he was rigged out. And so the worst election that you can face is against the people, not against political parties.
“So, my advice is that the President should address the people. He should forget about the sycophants who are endorsing him or about political parties. In most places where strong presidents have been removed, they were removed by political parties. So, it is worse to face the people than political parties,” he said.
