Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu-led government’s economic policies for unleashing unprecedented hunger, poverty, and mass unemployment on Nigerians.
Governor Oborevwori took a swipe at Tinubu’s economic policies, especially the petroleum subsidy removal and floating of the Naira. He noted that whatever gains the subsidy removal would have brought have been swallowed by Naira devaluation and galloping inflation.
The Delta State governor stated this in a statement signed by his Executive Assistant on New Media, Mr. Felix Ofou, while reacting to a statement by a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
At an APC event, Omo-Agege applauded the economic policies of the Tinubu-led government, stressing that it has led to increased federal allocation to State and Local governments, rising economic growth rates, declining imports, higher exports, and higher incomes for farmers.
Omo-Agege was also quoted as saying that despite the huge federal allocations coming to Delta State due to Tinubu’s economic policies, there were no meaningful projects or development to show for it, despite the state government and local government areas receiving over N900 billion over the last one year and six months. The former DSP specifically accused the incumbent governor of mismanaging Delta State funds and paying debts with what’s left, despite increased federal allocation and revenue from 13% derivation fund.
But, Governor Oborevwori disputed Omo-Agege’s claims, questioning the value of the increased funds amidst galloping inflation, Naira devaluation, and widespread poverty. He asked, “Can we really talk of increased money in any state in Nigeria? What is the worth of such money in the face of galloping inflation, gross devaluation of the Naira, unparalleled hunger, mass poverty, mass unemployment, daily closure of major factories and multinationals in the country?”
The governor also emphasised that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have stated that Tinubu’s economic policies were not working, transforming Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world.
“Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have rightly stated that Tinubu’s economic policies are not working. That the policies have transformed Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world, with over 130 million of the population living below the poverty mark, he said.
Oborevwori concluded that Tinubu’s economic policies have unleashed economic hardship on Nigerians and are not a desirable model for Delta State.
“Is this the model that Omo-Agege is recommending for Delta to copy! A model that has unleashed economic hardship on the people? Why would anyone recommend APC’s T-pain as remedy to our woes? Obviously, this is not a path desirable for Deltans and one they would want to embrace at this time,” the statement added.
He called for caution against embracing policies that exacerbate poverty and suffering on Nigerians.