The Labour Party has expressed disappointment in Chief Bola Tinubu’s continuous plea for patience from Nigerians, citing the excuse of inheriting a struggling economy. This criticism came from the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The Labour Party believes that Tinubu’s government has inflicted severe poverty on Nigerians over the past year and is now using numerous excuses to mask its shortcomings. Ifoh emphasized that the government appears indifferent to the sufferings of the people.
“It was, to say the least, disheartening to hear [him] mock his fellow citizens by saying Nigerians are not the only ones facing poverty. Assuming, but not conceding, that what he said is true, Nigerians, who are at the receiving end of his harsh economic policies, don’t need to be reminded about the pain and hunger they have been forced to live with by the very people who put them in that situation in the first place,” Ifoh stated.
Ifoh pointed out the extravagant spending on projects such as the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima’s lodge, and the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. He argued that these expenditures are insensitive to the average Nigerian’s plight.
“Maybe this administration needs to be reminded that it was elected to reduce, if not eliminate, poverty, hunger, and disease. But what we have seen is an obsession with opulence. We are yet to get over the billions appropriated for the renovation of the President and Vice President’s lodges. Now we hear they want new jets to join the Presidential fleet,” Ifoh continued.
Highlighting the dire state of public services, Ifoh noted, “Our schools and health institutions are on their knees. The same government claims it cannot afford to pay public servants a living wage but has enough to make itself comfortable at the expense of the suffering masses.”
Ifoh concluded by urging Tinubu to respect the constitution, stating, “we implore you to uphold the constitution you swore to protect. The constitution says the security and welfare of the populace shall be the primary purpose of the existence of your government. Enough of this mockery.”
