Kola Ologbondiyan, a former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, accusing them of aggravating Nigeria’s economic woes.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Ologbondiyan said that the removal of petrol subsidies and the decision to float the naira were poorly implemented and have left Nigerians grappling with unprecedented hardships.
According to Ologbondiyan, the abrupt removal of subsidies under Tinubu’s administration contrasts sharply with the phased and more strategic approach adopted by previous PDP governments.
He argued that the lack of adequate palliatives has further deepened the suffering of citizens.
“Under the PDP, subsidy removal was gradual and supported by measures to ease the burden on the people. What we have now is a rushed process without adequate relief for Nigerians,” Ologbondiyan stated.
He added that the APC’s offer of subsidized rice is insufficient to address the economic challenges facing citizens.
“The needs of Nigerians go beyond rice,” he said.
Ologbondiyan also condemned the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to float the naira, which has led to a significant devaluation of the currency.
He noted that the policy, coupled with subsidy removal, has left many Nigerians unable to cope with skyrocketing living costs.
“The APC government’s decisions on the naira and subsidy have been devastating. These are policies that require strategic planning and implementation, not abrupt changes that leave citizens in despair,” he said.
He stressed that palliatives like an effective public transport system and measures to stabilize the economy are essential for sustainable development.
“The government must stop paying lip service to the plight of the people. It’s time for actionable, people-focused policies that address the real challenges Nigerians are facing,” he concluded.