Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, former presidential candidate of the African Renaissance Party, has fiercely criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, calling them reckless and harmful to Nigeria’s economy.
In an exclusive interview, Ndu expressed his concern that these policies have plunged many Nigerians into deep poverty. He also condemned Tinubu’s leadership style, referring to it as a “civilian dictatorship.”
Ndu emphasized the importance of a mass participatory approach to governance, stressing that democracy should involve active citizen engagement beyond just electing leaders. He pointed out that the combined votes of Tinubu, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rabi’u Kwankwaso accounted for less than 20 percent of Nigeria’s population, underscoring a disconnect between the government and the people.
He remarked, “People argue that President Tinubu has only been in office for a little over a year and should be given time to make changes, but that’s worrisome. We are supposed to be practicing party democracy, and his party, the APC, has been in power since 2015. Tinubu was the leader of the APC, and many top officials, including his Chief of Staff, were selected or mentored by him. So, it’s misleading to say he’s just now inheriting the problems; he’s been part of the team since 2015.”
Ndu further explained that party democracy implies collective responsibility, adding that Tinubu’s allies should stop deceiving Nigerians by suggesting that he’s new to these challenges. He criticized Tinubu’s inability to resolve the country’s issues, stating, “If he had the solutions, he would have shared them with his party long before becoming president. If he didn’t offer solutions while in the party, then he’s either lacking solutions or lacking patriotism.”
Reflecting on Tinubu’s election campaign, Ndu noted that the president avoided addressing key questions, even delegating others to speak for him at public forums like Chatham House. “During rallies, he focused on holding a broom and dancing instead of discussing his programs,” Ndu added, expressing disappointment in the worsening conditions under Tinubu’s leadership.
Blaming not just Tinubu but the entire political system, Ndu said, “The total votes Tinubu received, whether rigged or not, combined with those of Peter Obi, Atiku, and Kwankwaso, don’t even reach 20 percent of Nigeria’s population. Democracy should be about mass participation, and we need a collective approach to solving our problems.”
Ndu advocated for a mass participatory system to tackle Nigeria’s issues, suggesting that experts from various sectors, both in Nigeria and abroad, should collaborate on solutions for the country’s technological, health, and other challenges. He argued that no one has a monopoly on knowledge and that only by working together can Nigeria move forward.
On the issue of fuel subsidy removal, Ndu condemned Tinubu’s decision, calling it the administration’s worst mistake. He noted that the subsidy was removed in the most inappropriate way, even before a cabinet was formed, which, according to Ndu, exemplifies Tinubu’s civilian dictatorship. He suggested that instead of destroying illegal refineries, the government should regulate and support them to produce affordable, locally refined oil.
Ndu also highlighted that Libya, an African country, is selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at N52 per liter, while in Nigeria it costs over N1,000 per liter, signaling something seriously wrong with the country’s economic decisions. He concluded that even Tinubu’s administration has realized the mistake, given their recent promotion of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative.