Makinde Counters Tinubu, Says Subsidy Removal, Naira Floatation Worsened Hunger

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s position that he is not responsible for the hardship and hunger being experienced by Nigerians, insisting that the Federal Government’s economic policies have significantly worsened the country’s living conditions.
Speaking through a national leader of the APM, Babatunde Tijani, during the unveiling of the party’s deputy governorship candidate for Ogun State, Deborah Akinlade, alongside House of Assembly and National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, Makinde described the simultaneous removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira as policies that inflicted severe hardship on ordinary Nigerians.
His comments come amid President Tinubu’s recent remarks that the current economic difficulties were inherited and that his administration should not be blamed for hunger in the country, arguing that the reforms were necessary to stabilise the economy and secure Nigeria’s future.
However, Makinde maintained that while reforms may be necessary, implementing both policies at the same time without adequate social protection was a costly mistake.
“How can a person just decide one day that he will remove the fuel subsidy without any cushioning effect or any palliative to fill the gap? At the same time, they still went ahead and floated the naira,” he said.
“These two policies have further made life difficult for Nigerians. It is an economic policy that no nation, even advanced countries, can take at the same time.”
The Oyo governor questioned the Federal Government’s claims of economic improvement, noting that many Nigerians could no longer afford basic necessities.
“How many people can take three square meals a day? How much were we buying fuel for before? How much is it now? They said they have stabilised the exchange rate, from how much to how much? It goes to N1,500, comes back to N1,300, and they will be clapping and praising themselves. Who does that?” he asked.
Makinde also linked the country’s economic challenges with worsening insecurity, saying many Nigerians no longer felt safe.
According to him, the APM was offering Nigerians an alternative platform to address economic hardship, insecurity and poor governance.
“This is a party that is ready to alleviate the suffering of the masses. We have to reset Nigeria in terms of everything — economy and security. Before now, you could sleep with your two eyes closed, but things have changed,” he said.
He urged party members in Ogun State to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, calling on Nigerians to support the APM’s vision for economic recovery and improved governance.
Also speaking, Ogun State APM Chairman and Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Abayomi Sanyaolu, rated the performance of the APC-led Federal Government at 35 per cent, urging Nigerians to reject vote-buying and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards to vote according to their conscience.
The party’s governorship candidate in Ogun State, Rotimi Babajide, promised that an APM administration would prioritise agriculture, job creation, education, healthcare and infrastructure to improve the welfare of residents.

This is another opportunity to own a faster-loading website to expand your business and take it digitally online. Meet the best website designer/master coder for any kind of website. Contact them now it is affordable Chat now: 09077260922