Politics
“What Has Brought Nigeria to Its Knees Is Tinubu’s Policies” – Ologbondiyan
Former spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has expressed his concerns about the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, which he believes have left Nigeria in a dire economic situation.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Ologbondiyan criticized the approach taken by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the decisions were rushed and lacked sufficient measures to cushion the effects on the masses.
Ologbondiyan stated that the phased removal of the petrol subsidy, coupled with adequate palliatives, could have been a more effective strategy.
He pointed out that during the PDP’s administration, subsidy removal was handled gradually, ensuring that Nigerians were not left to bear the brunt of the changes abruptly.
“What has brought Nigeria to its knees are the twin decisions made by President Bola Tinubu, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.
These policies have severely impacted the average Nigerian,” he remarked.
The former PDP spokesperson also questioned the effectiveness of the current administration’s palliatives, which have largely focused on distributing subsidized rice.
He argued that Nigerians require much more than food relief, emphasizing the need for a robust public transportation system.
“The APC government is asking Nigerians to buy rice at N40,000 per bag as a form of relief, but people’s needs extend far beyond rice.
What about affordable transportation? A functional public transport system would reduce the need for individuals to rely on private vehicles, which consume costly fuel,” he explained.
The governors reportedly discussed the pressing need for comprehensive reforms that would address the economic challenges facing the country without exacerbating the suffering of the citizens.
Reflecting on the PDP’s past leadership, Ologbondiyan reiterated that the party’s approach to reforms was rooted in careful planning and public engagement.
“Under the PDP, subsidy removal was phased and accompanied by tangible palliatives that made life easier for Nigerians.
What we see today is a government that is not engaging with the public meaningfully and is offering inadequate solutions to major economic problems,” he said.
Ologbondiyan further criticized the PDP’s current approach to opposing the administration, describing it as insufficient.
He called on his party to engage more actively with the government to propose alternatives that would better serve Nigerians.
“It’s unfortunate that even as PDP, we seem to be paying lip service to the need for robust engagement with the sitting government.
We should be presenting well-thought-out alternatives to these policies instead of just criticizing from the sidelines,” he added.
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications to the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has hinted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might not present a presidential candidate in 2027. His comments come amid ongoing turmoil over who holds the legitimate position of PDP’s National Secretary. Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye have been locked in a bitter dispute over the role, despite a Supreme Court ruling.
The conflict began when Anyanwu left the position to run for governor in Imo State in 2023. During his absence, the party’s Southeast caucus endorsed Ude-Okoye as his replacement. But after losing the election, Anyanwu returned to reclaim his seat. Upset by this move, Ude-Okoye took the matter to court. Although a High Court removed Anyanwu, the Supreme Court’s March judgment only deepened the crisis.
Olayinka stressed that the PDP constitution clearly defines the rightful National Secretary. In a post on X, he said since Anyanwu has neither resigned nor passed away, he remains the legitimate National Secretary.
He added that the party’s Deputy National Secretary can only step in if the National Secretary resigns or dies. Olayinka concluded with a warning, saying the party may skip fielding candidates not just this year, but also in 2026 and 2027, highlighting the depth of the party’s troubles.
Former Edo State Governor and current Nigerian Senator Adams Oshiomhole is betting big on President Bola Tinubu’s chances in a free and fair election today. In a lively interview on Channels Television, the ex-Nigerian Labour Congress chief didn’t hold back, saying Tinubu’s already done enough to lock in a second term.
Tinubu made some bold promises while campaigning for the 2023 elections, and while he’s ticked off a few, others are still a work in progress. When asked if Tinubu could win a fair vote given Nigeria’s struggles with the economy, security, and politics, Oshiomhole was all in. “He’d win, and he’d win big,” he said confidently. He pointed to real changes making a difference.
Oshiomhole shared a story about a senator who recently rejoined the APC, noting that before Tinubu took office, farmers in his area were too scared to work their fields due to rampant insecurity. Now, they’re back on their farms, and that senator credits Tinubu for the turnaround. Plus, new roads have made life easier for folks in that region, with hopes for even more progress now that the senator’s back in the APC fold.
Oshiomhole admitted that sitting in a place like Lagos, it’s easy to miss these wins when everyone’s focused on the bigger problems. But he urged people to look closer. One of Tinubu’s gutsiest moves? Scrapping the shady exchange rate system that let well-connected folks buy dollars dirt cheap from the Central Bank and flip them for massive profits.
“Tinubu could’ve played that game, but he shut it down on day one,” Oshiomhole said. Now, everyone—president, senator, or regular Nigerian—gets the same rate. That, he argued, took serious courage and leveled the playing field, even if it ruffled feathers among the elite.
Activist and president of the North Central Youth Council, Sunday Asuku, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima with a Christian candidate in the 2027 general election.
In a statement on Monday, Asuku stressed that Tinubu’s choice of vice president could make or break his chances for re-election. He argued that selecting a Christian vice president would not only be symbolic but also a strategic and unifying move for Nigeria’s democracy.
Asuku mentioned that the 2027 elections will be a crucial test of Nigeria’s commitment to unity and inclusivity. He pointed out that the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 elections created division, and that addressing this imbalance with a Christian running mate would help strengthen national cohesion.
He went on to say that religious balance in leadership is still a vital necessity in Nigeria’s diverse society. “Tinubu has a chance to correct the mistake of 2023 and make a strong statement of inclusion. This opportunity should not be missed,” Asuku said.
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