Doyin Okupe, a former director general of the Peter Obi/Datti Ahmed campaign council, has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Sunday addressed the economic woes Nigerians are facing.
He advised youths to stop further protests and engage the federal government in a dialogue. He said President Tinubu has shown leadership and commitment to addressing hardship in the country.
On Sunday, while reacting to the President’s address, Okupe said President Tinubu achieved what other administrations were unable to accomplish in one year.
According to Okupe, if the fuel subsidy was not removed, the Tinubu-led administration would not function effectively.
“President Bola Tinubu’s Speech has not disappointed Nigerians in that for the first time, the President clearly stated the precarious and daunting economic situation his administration met on ground at inception.
“It also amplified the strenuous efforts made by his government to reduce the prevailing crippling and stagnating debt servicing ratio from 97% of earned revenue to 68%.
“In truth, this has been the major cause of our present economic woes and sufferings. It is now self-evident that if the fuel subsidy was not removed, it would have been impossible for the government to function and meet its obligations without continuing the profligacy of massive and sustained borrowing to fund the subsequent national budgets
“The speech highlighted, to our delight, the giant and commendable strides of achievements already accomplished by this administration within 14 months of its existence, despite the unprecedented inherited financial and social-economic calamities.
“It is also worthy to note from the speech the government’s commitment to reduce the prevailing high cost of living and also bring down the food inflation through the temporary massive importation of foods and reduction of various taxes and duties for foods, drugs and medical supplies e t c.
“I personally believe that this administration’s scorecard or performance compares very well if not better than those of many administrations before it,
” he said.
The former aide on media to ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, advised Nigerians to hold governors and local government chairmen accountable. He noted that the President showed commitment to democratic right of citizens to protest.
“Lastly, the increased amount of funds that the policies of this administration have directly released to the states and local governments must make Nigerians to now begin to look beyond the federal government and make the sub nationalities to be more accountable for the huge sums of revenue inflow they receive from the federation account and other federal government intervention funds.
“It is pertinent that we recognize that federal government revenue is shared with 49% going to the federal government while approximately 48% goes to the states and local governments leaving some 3% for ecological funds and derivation.
“I will therefore with all humility enjoin our youths and the citizens at large to exercise patience and restraints and embrace the opportunity for dialogue which Mr President has offered,
” Okupe added.
