BY AHMED AKANBI
The African Action Congress, AAC, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, accusing his administration of failing to translate reforms into affordable living for millions of Nigerians.
The party urged Nigerians to embrace an alternative economic direction focused on cutting cost of living, creating jobs, providing affordable energy and strengthening local industries ahead of 2027.
The AAC made the call in a statement on Thursday by its National Chairman, Samuel Ajeigbe, in response to Tinubu’s 66th Independence Anniversary address.
In the statement titled “A Call on Nigerians to Support Our Alternative Economic Direction,” the party faulted Tinubu’s defence of his agenda, saying Nigerians continue to suffer consequences of policies presented as necessary reforms.
It particularly criticised the President’s warning against returning to petrol subsidy, questioning why citizens should continue to bear unbearable costs without improvement in living conditions.
”The President’s declaration that Nigerians must resist the ‘siren song’ of returning to petrol subsidy is particularly revealing. The real question is not whether Nigerians should return to the old subsidy regime. The question is why Nigerians should continue paying an unbearable price for an economic policy that has failed to translate into affordable living,” the party said.
According to the AAC, removal of petrol subsidy has increased cost of transportation, food production and goods and services, leaving households struggling.
It argued that Nigerians feel economic policies through prices of food, transport fares, electricity bills, rent, school fees and healthcare, not through government statistics.
”The President speaks of growth, foreign reserves and rising investment. But what does this growth mean to the millions of Nigerians who cannot afford three decent meals a day?” the party queried.
The AAC cited the National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index which found 62.9 per cent of Nigerians, about 133 million people, were multidimensionally poor, noting the survey predated Tinubu but showed the scale of crisis he inherited.
The party questioned the administration’s handling of the economy nearly three years into Tinubu’s presidency, saying Nigerians are still asked to endure hardship while promised prosperity remains theoretical.
On insecurity, it said government’s claims of progress should be judged against continuing loss of lives and displacement of communities, adding no reform is successful if citizens cannot farm, travel and live safely.
”The government cannot continue to demand patience from Nigerians while presenting hardship as evidence that its medicine is working,” the AAC said.
The party insisted Nigeria does not have to choose between the former wasteful subsidy regime and current high cost of living, advocating a third path of productive economy, jobs, affordable energy and restored purchasing power.
”Our position is simple: government must reduce the burden on Nigerians, not continually explain why Nigerians should endure it,” it stated.
While acknowledging Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria has reached a turning point, the AAC called for a national realignment around policies that cut cost of living and restore dignity, urging voters to examine its programme and its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in 2027.