The Conference of United Political Parties has criticized President Bola Tinubu, claiming his speeches have not been backed by tangible actions and are worsening poverty in Nigeria.
The party’s National Secretary, Peter Ameh, made these remarks in response to the President’s New Year Day address.
Ameh stated that 2024 had been an exceptionally difficult year for many Nigerians, attributing the hardship to what he called impulsive decisions made by the government.
He pointed out that despite the President’s claims of addressing corruption, there was no substantial evidence to support those assertions. Ameh cited Nigeria’s low ranking of 143rd out of 149 countries on the Corruption Perception Index as an example.
The CUPP National Secretary also highlighted the President’s promises to increase agricultural production to curb food inflation. However, Ameh argued that these promises had not materialized into any real action. He stated that poverty had risen to affect 56 percent of the population, with approximately 129 million Nigerians now living below the poverty line.
Ameh also criticized the President’s example about a wealthy individual no longer able to afford fuel for a luxury car, suggesting that the President had failed to consider the plight of ordinary Nigerians. He pointed out that the removal of fuel subsidies had led to a 300 percent increase in public transportation costs, further straining the average citizen.
Additionally, Ameh expressed concerns about the President’s plan to establish a company aimed at reducing inflation. He argued that this initiative would only add more administrative hurdles and that existing agencies and parastatals could handle such responsibilities. He compared this to the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development when the Ministry of Agriculture already existed.
Ameh hinted that food inflation, which currently stands at around 80 percent, could be reduced significantly if the government took the right actions.
“Let’s look at the corruption perception index, Nigeria ranks 143rd out of 149 countries.
“The President promised to ensure we till more land for agriculture annually to reduce food inflation, well that has not happened.
” It’s all been talk and more talk no action. This has pushed poverty to 56 per cent of our population; roughly 129 million of our citizens are today living below the poverty line.
“I also heard Mr President give an example of his friend who could no longer put fuel in his Rolls Royce or something and is now driving a Honda, but has he given a thought to those who used to drive Honda, Camry and other low fuel consumption vehicles?
“With his single pronouncement of the removal of subsidies, the cost of public transportation jumped by 300 per cent.
“The cost of debt service jumped from N87 trillion to over N130 trillion under his watch,” he said.
