In a sharp critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has called on the president to seek the assistance of former President Goodluck Jonathan to address Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis, especially the skyrocketing fuel prices.
The fuel crisis has triggered widespread outrage across the country after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) increased the price of petrol to unprecedented levels. In Abuja, fuel prices jumped from ₦897 to ₦1,030 per litre, while in Lagos, the price surged from ₦868 to ₦998. Other parts of the country have seen similar hikes, fueling public discontent and raising questions about the government’s ability to stabilize the economy.
Speaking in an interview with Dipo Olaoyoku, the National Secretary of the NNPP, expressed grave concerns over the state of the nation under Tinubu’s leadership. He accused the current administration of lacking the competence and foresight to resolve Nigeria’s economic challenges, which have worsened since Tinubu assumed office. According to Olaoyoku, the government’s decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, have exacerbated the country’s reliance on imported fuel, with prices dictated by the fluctuating exchange rate.
“This government is bereft of ideas. How can a president announce the removal of subsidies on his first day in office without even assessing the depth of the problem?” Olaoyoku questioned, suggesting that the administration’s failure to properly evaluate the subsidy situation had led to the current economic chaos.
He further criticized the president’s appointments, describing them as a cadre of political allies lacking the expertise to address the nation’s mounting crises. “If you look at the people he has appointed, you cannot identify a competent one among them. It is catastrophic. This government has no compassion for any Nigerian,” Olaoyoku lamented.
Olaoyoku did not stop at criticism; he proposed a solution—urging President Tinubu to reach out to former President Goodluck Jonathan for guidance. He highlighted Jonathan’s success in maintaining a stable naira during his tenure, noting that under Jonathan’s administration, the exchange rate stood at ₦200 to the dollar, compared to the soaring rates seen under the current regime. “They can beg Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for help on how he was able to retain the rate of the naira to the dollar before the APC came on board,” Olaoyoku suggested.
The call to involve Jonathan reflects the NNPP’s belief that Tinubu’s government lacks both the strategy and personnel to address the ongoing economic turbulence. Olaoyoku argued that Nigeria’s challenges require a more inclusive approach, involving seasoned technocrats rather than political associates.
As public frustration grows over the rising cost of living, particularly fuel prices, the Tinubu administration faces mounting pressure to not only alleviate immediate economic pains but also provide a clear path to long-term recovery. Whether the president will heed the advice of the NNPP and seek counsel from former President Jonathan remains unclear, but the call for a broader, more experienced approach to governance has been clearly echoed across political lines.
