The Federal Government and opposition parties engaged in a heated exchange following criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) backed Oborevwori’s claims that the administration’s reforms are worsening poverty and unemployment, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, defended the policies, insisting that they would benefit Nigerians by 2025. Idris argued that states, including Delta, had seen increased allocations under the reforms and criticized the governor for diverting attention from his own state’s resource management.
Governor Oborevwori had previously condemned the fuel subsidy removal and naira unification as catalysts for soaring inflation and economic hardship, with over 104 million Nigerians slipping into poverty. Opposition figures such as PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and NNPP spokesperson Ladipo Johnson called for a policy review, arguing that the current approach is too harsh for the average Nigerian.
In contrast, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the opposition’s criticisms, emphasizing that the reforms were long-term and would eventually stimulate the economy, particularly through agricultural initiatives.
In a surprising twist, Governor Oborevwori distanced himself from the controversial comments made by his media assistant, Felix Ofou, clarifying that his position supports President Tinubu’s efforts and urging continued support for the administration despite the economic challenges.
As the debate continues, the future of Tinubu’s reforms remains uncertain, with both sides awaiting the mid-term evaluation in May 2025.
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