Subsidy removal, naira floatation made life harder for Nigerians — Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has sharply criticized the economic policies of the All Progressives Congress-led administration, describing the simultaneous removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira as a "double blow" to Nigerians' welfare. Speaking at an event in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Makinde, represented by a national leader of his party, the Allied People’s Movement (APM), stated that no country could withstand such twin economic shocks without adequate palliative measures.

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How can a person just decide one day that he will remove the fuel subsidy without any cushioning effect or any palliative to fill the gap? At the same time, they still went ahead and floated the naira.

"How can a person just decide one day that he will remove the fuel subsidy without any cushioning effect or any palliative to fill the gap? At the same time, they still went ahead and floated the naira," Makinde lamented. He questioned the administration's economic performance, highlighting the rising cost of living and the fluctuating foreign exchange market. "Now, how many people can take three square meals a day? How much were we buying fuel for before? How much is it now?" he asked, criticizing the government's self-praise over exchange rate fluctuations.

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These two policies have further made life difficult for Nigerians. It is an economic policy that no nation, even advanced countries, can take at the same time.

Beyond the economy, Makinde also voiced concerns over the worsening security situation in Nigeria. He asserted that citizens can no longer sleep with their eyes closed due to increased insecurity. Makinde urged APM members in Ogun State to mobilize for the 2027 elections, presenting the party as a vehicle to rescue Nigerians from "unnecessary suffering and hardship" and to "reset Nigeria in terms of everything: economy, security-wise."

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Now, how many people can take three square meals a day? How much were we buying fuel for before? How much is it now?

The governor pointed to the infrastructure and development achievements in Oyo State under the PDP administration as evidence of the APM's capacity to improve the nation's trajectory. He emphasized the need for unity and massive mobilization across all levels to achieve the party's goals of alleviating the masses' suffering.

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Before now, you could sleep with your two eyes closed, but things have changed.