Bode George: Tinubu’s Reforms Worsen Hunger, Neglect Nigerians’ Plight

Elder statesman and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Bode George, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s policies, stating they are worsening the economic plight of Nigerians. 

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, George expressed dismay over the President’s Monday media chat, describing it as lacking empathy and humanity.

“There is hunger and anger in the land,” George lamented, citing three recent food stampedes that resulted in 67 fatalities. He faulted Tinubu’s assertion that his reforms are yielding positive results, arguing that many Nigerians are sinking deeper into poverty while businesses struggle to survive.

“We are not feeling it, it is going worse by the day,” George emphasized. “Hunger doesn’t believe in your talk; you gotta be real.”

George urged the administration to reduce petrol prices and provide immediate palliatives to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. He argued that the soaring cost of living is a direct consequence of the government's policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies in May 2023.

“Why do you have a discussion in the first instance if there’s no iota of somberness and humanity?” George queried, criticizing the tone of the media chat as inappropriate, especially during a season marked by widespread hardship.

Since the removal of petrol subsidies, the price of petrol has skyrocketed from around ₦200 per litre to over ₦1,000, worsening the plight of Nigerians who rely on it for transportation and electricity generation amidst unreliable power supply. Fuel queues have become a recurring sight across the country.

Additionally, the government’s decision to unify foreign exchange windows has led to a sharp depreciation of the naira, plunging from ₦700/$1 to over ₦1,600/$1 in the parallel market. This has triggered inflation, causing the prices of food and essential goods to soar uncontrollably.

Despite mounting criticism, Tinubu has defended his policies, stating during his media chat that he has no regrets about the subsidy removal. "Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries," he said, maintaining that the reforms are necessary for the country’s long-term stability.

George, however, remains unconvinced, warning that the government’s approach is exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. He called for policies that prioritize the welfare of citizens over economic theories.