In a recent interview in Okitipupa, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ondo State, expressed that President Bola Tinubu should not bear full responsibility for the current economic difficulties plaguing Nigeria.
Tofowomo, who served as the representative for Ondo South in the Ninth National Assembly, acknowledged that while the economic landscape has worsened due to the removal of fuel subsidies and other fiscal policies, it is important to recognize that the roots of these issues extend beyond Tinubu’s administration.
He highlighted that the prior administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari had already eliminated fuel subsidy provisions from the 2023 budget. As Tofowomo explained, President Tinubu merely inherited this budget and subsequently took ownership of the subsidy removal in his inaugural address.
“I was a member of the Ninth National Assembly that approved the 2023 budget, which did not allocate any funds for fuel subsidies. The removal was initiated by the Buhari administration. Tinubu inherited that budget and merely announced it during his speech on May 29, 2023. Therefore, I believe it is unfair to place all the blame on him for the economic challenges we face today,” Tofowomo stated.
However, the senator criticized Tinubu’s communication strategy, asserting that his information team has been lacking, which has contributed to the widespread protests. He noted, “The president’s address on Sunday, following four days of the #EndBadGovernance protest, should have occurred prior to the protest’s initiation.”
Despite the delayed response, Tofowomo acknowledged that Tinubu recognized the grievances of the Nigerian people and called for dialogue to end the protests.
He urged protesters to pause their demonstrations and engage in constructive discussions with the government, emphasizing that meaningful progress cannot be achieved through violence. “There are three approaches to addressing issues: consultation, negotiation, and confrontation.
Protesters must return to the table and negotiate with the government, as violent protests yield no substantial results. It’s crucial for the protest organizers to understand that our democracy requires careful handling, as division is not the answer to our challenges,” he remarked.
The protests, which began on August 1, have unfortunately led to casualties and property damage in various regions of the country.
