Economic Reforms: Group Defends Tinubu Against Claims of Being “Out of Touch”

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Democratic Front (TDF) has strongly rejected claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is indifferent to the economic hardships facing Nigerians.

The group was responding to comments made by the Chairman of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who suggested during a television appearance that the president was disconnected from the plight of the citizens. In a statement led by Danjuma Muhammad, the TDF dismissed these assertions as “erroneous” and “faulty.”

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Defense of Economic Indicators

The TDF argued that critics have failed to acknowledge significant improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook. The group highlighted several key milestones achieved under the current administration:

• Inflation Reduction: A reported crash in headline inflation from 35% down to 15%, which the group claims has led to lower food prices nationwide.
• Industrial Expansion: A 2025 Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) indicates massive growth in the manufacturing sector and increased employment in non-oil industries.
• Refining and Revenue: The domestication of crude oil refining and tax reforms has significantly boosted accruals to the Federation Account.
• Educational Support: Ongoing interventions through NELFUND to guarantee university education for indigent students.

The “Sub-National” Responsibility

A central part of the TDF’s argument is that the burden of alleviating hardship does not rest solely on the President. The TDF argued that the combination of subsidy removal and national tax reforms has led to massive increases in the funds distributed to state and local governments through the Federation Account.

“The federal government alone cannot succeed in addressing the challenges of hardship if the states and local governments disavow their responsibilities,” the statement read, suggesting that critics should point their fingers at sub-national leaders instead.

External Factors

The TDF also addressed the recent rise in petrol costs, attributing it to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf Region and the war in Iran rather than domestic policy failures. They urged veteran technocrats like Baba-Ahmed to use a more “fair comparative analysis” before concluding the impact of the president’s reforms.