Lagos, Nigeria — Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party’s 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, claims President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms harm ordinary Nigerians. He argues these reforms favor the political and business elites while ordinary Nigerians suffer. Rhodes-Vivour blames the negative impacts on measures like petrol subsidy removal and the naira’s floating.
Since May 29, 2023, when Tinubu took office, these economic changes have been implemented, worsening conditions for many. Rhodes-Vivour insists that the president’s reforms benefit only the elite, leaving the general population to bear the consequences. He points to the petrol subsidy removal and naira floating as particularly harmful to Nigerians.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Rhodes-Vivour condemned the government’s culture of waste, contrasting it with citizens’ suffering. He criticized the reforms for mainly benefiting close associates, including bankers and government officials.
Ordinary Nigerians Bear the Brunt
According to Rhodes-Vivour, the average Nigerian is struggling to make ends meet, with over 70% of their income now being spent on transportation and food. He pointed out that many Nigerians are also grappling with housing costs, further compounding their economic hardship. In contrast, the wealthy elites seem to thrive, with little to no discernible benefit reaching the average citizen.
“The only people who seem to be benefitting from these reforms are perhaps the bankers, those in government, and the President’s friends,” Rhodes-Vivour said. “How many Nigerians can honestly say they are benefitting from any reform right now?”
A Contrast in Lifestyles
Rhodes-Vivour also called attention to the stark difference in the lifestyle of government officials and ordinary Nigerians. He accused the current administration of indulging in wasteful spending while the majority of the population is struggling to survive. His statements reflect widespread public dissatisfaction with the perceived imbalance in the distribution of the benefits of government policies.
“The government’s actions reveal a disregard for the suffering of the people,” Rhodes-Vivour said, pointing out the irony in the administration’s approach to governance amidst an escalating economic crisis.
The Call for Reform and Accountability
Rhodes-Vivour’s comments underscore growing discontent with the economic policies under Tinubu’s administration. As Nigerians continue to face rising costs of living and unemployment, Rhodes-Vivour has urged the government to reevaluate its reforms, suggesting that real change can only come if the needs of the average citizen are prioritized over the interests of the political elite.
In conclusion, while Tinubu’s reforms may have been aimed at stabilizing the economy, their practical effects are still a point of contention, particularly for those who find themselves struggling in a system that seems to favor the wealthy.
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