Tinubu’s Economic Revival Claim Is an Insult to Suffering Nigerians – Wabara Fires Back
Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Senate President and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent claim that his administration has successfully revived Nigeria’s economy. In a blunt and emotionally charged response, Wabara said Tinubu’s comments are an insult to the intelligence and daily struggles of millions of Nigerians facing worsening economic hardship.
Wabara, a respected elder statesman and vocal critic of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, argued that the real economic conditions in Nigeria today do not match the President’s optimistic rhetoric. In his words, if there had truly been any improvement in the economy under Tinubu’s leadership, ordinary Nigerians would be the first to speak out about it — without being prompted.
“The reality on the ground does not support President Tinubu’s claims. If he had truly improved the economy, Nigerians would be the first to testify,” Wabara said.
Nigeria’s Economic Hardship: Inflation, Hunger, and Poverty on the Rise
Senator Wabara’s criticism comes at a time when Nigerians across the country are grappling with skyrocketing food prices, massive inflation, and a declining standard of living. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation rate hit 33.69% in April 2025, the highest in two decades. Food inflation alone is above 40%, affecting the affordability of basic staples like rice, beans, garri, and yam.
In major cities and rural areas alike, families are being forced to cut down on meals, skip school fees, and abandon health care visits just to survive. For many, Tinubu’s “economic revival” is a reality that exists only in government press statements, not in their kitchens, wallets, or marketplaces.
Wabara described this situation as ironic, noting that the people the President claims to be helping are not feeling any positive change. Instead, they are overwhelmed by economic burdens worsened by policy decisions that seem detached from the real-life experiences of ordinary Nigerians.
“It’s ironic that Mr. President is talking about economic revival when the economy is clearly deteriorating under his watch. The indices say otherwise. Poor and hungry Nigerians do not need a lecture on economic revival. The first sign of improvement will be reflected in market prices,” he added.
Real Economic Progress Comes From Tangible Results — Not Rhetoric
Wabara stressed that Nigerians are not looking for grammar or political speeches. They want to see and feel real economic progress — lower prices at the market, job opportunities, affordable fuel, and stable electricity. Instead, what they are currently experiencing is the opposite: widespread unemployment, rising transport costs, and continued depreciation of the naira.
The naira, which exchanged at about ₦460/$1 when Tinubu took office in May 2023, now fluctuates between ₦1,400–₦1,500 per dollar, despite the Central Bank’s efforts to stabilise the forex market. This currency crisis has triggered imported inflation and pushed local production costs to unbearable levels.
In his statement, Wabara urged President Tinubu to abandon empty promises and instead use the rest of his tenure to deliver genuine economic reforms that can be felt by the people. He particularly called for a review of harmful economic policies, especially multiple taxation, which is strangling businesses across Nigeria.
“The government must urgently review its key economic policies, particularly those related to multiple taxation. These taxes are stifling businesses and worsening the living conditions of citizens,” Wabara warned.
Security Challenges Are Worsening Economic Conditions
Apart from the economic crisis, Wabara pointed to the deteriorating security situation in many parts of the country as a major contributor to the current hardship. He explained that persistent attacks by bandits and criminal herders have forced thousands of farmers in rural communities to abandon their farmlands, thereby leading to food shortages.
These security issues are especially rampant in the North-Central and North-West zones, where farming used to be a major source of food production and employment. With farmers displaced and crops destroyed, Nigeria now relies heavily on expensive food imports or smuggled goods to meet domestic demand — further pushing prices up and increasing hunger.
“The government must urgently address insecurity. The attacks by bandits and herdsmen have displaced farmers, especially in agrarian communities, and this is contributing significantly to food shortages and hunger,” he added.
APC Has Destroyed the Economic Progress Achieved Under PDP – Wabara
Senator Wabara did not mince words when he blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for what he described as the total mismanagement of Nigeria’s once-thriving economy. He recalled that under the PDP administrations, particularly during the era of Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan, Nigeria’s economy was ranked among the top two economies in Africa. But according to him, those gains have now been reversed by the APC’s poor governance and lack of coherent economic strategy.
“The APC has mismanaged what was once a thriving economy. During the PDP era, Nigeria’s economy was among the top two in Africa. Today, all of that progress has been reversed,” Wabara stated.
Indeed, Nigeria was once praised as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, with a GDP growth rate that averaged 6% annually between 2003 and 2014. However, since the APC took over in 2015, the economy has suffered two recessions (in 2016 and 2020) and now faces stagflation — a condition where the economy is stagnant, yet inflation continues to rise.
Wabara Calls for a Return to Sensible Economic Governance
In conclusion, Wabara called on President Tinubu to shift from propaganda to real action. He advised the President to embrace transparency, listen to the voices of suffering Nigerians, and implement reforms that will have tangible and measurable impact on citizens’ lives.
Wabara’s criticism reflects a wider sentiment among Nigerians who feel disconnected from the economic projections and policy directions being pushed by Tinubu’s administration. From Abuja to Lagos, from Kano to Enugu, the common story remains the same: hardship, hunger, and hopelessness.
“Nigerians do not need a lecture on economic revival. They need results they can see and feel. This is the only way the government can regain trust and credibility,” Wabara concluded.
Final Thoughts: Is Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda Delivering?
As President Tinubu continues to push his “Renewed Hope” economic agenda, critics like Senator Adolphus Wabara are reminding him that hope without results is meaningless. With worsening inflation, rampant insecurity, and poor economic indicators, the question on many Nigerians' minds is simple: Whose economy is really being revived?
Until the streets tell a different story — one of falling prices, jobs, and peace — many will continue to view Tinubu’s economic claims as a mirage.
