Tinubu’s first year has been a nightmare – NNPP

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu-led government as it marks one year in office.

According to NNPP, in its s one-year assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, it noted with dismay that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the government was not yielding the desired benefits, rather it has inflicted untold hardship on the people.

In a statement by the national publicity secretary, Oladipo Johnson, the NNPP urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, review its economic policies to align with the prevailing sufferings of the people and boost productivity in the country.

The party noted economic indicators and performance index of the economy were not giving Nigerians any hope.

It stressed that Nigerians are not feeling the impact of government on their daily well-being.

“The renewed hope now looks like a feeble orchestration, hope is dimming,” the statement read.

“As reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflation now stands at 33.69 per cent, highest in 28 years and food inflation at 40.53 per cent in April. This is not comforting in any way.”

It also highlighted the fiscal crisis being experienced till date, saying the devaluation of the naira and the resort to huge borrowing from local and foreign institutions should be carefully reviewed in tandem with the effects on the economy and the need for prudent management of resources.

NNPP called for a substantial reduction in the cost of governance and a clear eye on leakages, corruption and accountability, just as it also charged the government to prioritise its spending to reflect prevailing realities rather than wasteful expenditures.

“While education and health in particular are underfunded, we can see much wasteful application of scarce resources in less important activities which suggest misplaced priorities.”

The NNPP also expressed concerns that dozens of manufacturing companies that have now left the country.

The party noted the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said 367 companies stopped production activities from December 2023 and that among those still in business, 335 are in distress, while N350 billion worth of goods were not sold.

It urged President Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing emirate crisis in Kano State.

“In our candid opinion, the last year has been a nightmare for Nigerians who are now poorer amidst poverty, hunger, and untold suffering.

“Government said it is renewing hope but this has to translate into tangible deliverables to hedge against the prevailing hunger and starvation among the populace.

“Regrettably, the unrelenting dire security situation in the country is worsening the concerns of the people and this should be a priority to the government as we call for a drastic review of policies and programmes of the administration.

“We cannot end this appraisal piece without advising the Tinubu administration to focus more on governance and avoid unnecessary distractions like the ongoing intervention of the Federal Government in the emirship stool in Kano, which is purely a state affair according to the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“President Tinubu should warn his appointed officials to allow him to concentrate on the things he was elected into office for instead of engaging in frivolities of politicking.

“Instead of deploying soldiers to provide cover for someone constitutionally removed from office, such soldiers should be deployed to confront terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, and others who are making life difficult for Nigerians.

“Nigerians deserve better than what they are experiencing now.”