Falana Slams Tinubu’s Economic Policies: “They Favour the Rich, Punish the Poor”

Foremost human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticized the economic direction of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming it overwhelmingly benefits the wealthy while leaving the majority of Nigerians in deepening hardship.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Falana said that the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians have worsened over the past two years, despite government claims of economic progress.

He stated, “For members of the government—and I’m talking of top officials—it’s been very rosy. One of them was singing a week ago that things are getting better. Of course, for the rich, the bourgeoisie, things are getting better. But for the masses of our people, things are getting tougher because they are going through an excruciating economic crisis.”

Falana’s comments follow celebrations by top All Progressives Congress (APC) officials who marked President Tinubu’s second anniversary in office with high praise, insisting that his government has delivered impressive results.

However, Falana argued that such assessments fail to reflect the realities faced by millions of Nigerians struggling with inflation, job losses, and a general spike in the cost of living.

Among the key economic reforms implemented by Tinubu since assuming office are the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of Nigeria’s multiple exchange rate windows—moves the government says are necessary for long-term stability but which critics argue have caused severe short-term pain for ordinary citizens.