The President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ambali Olatunji, recently expressed his concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s economic policy, stating that it is negatively impacting the masses. Olatunji made these remarks during the opening session of a National Youth Conference in Benin, Edo state.
Olatunji also criticized Tinubu for having an excessively large cabinet, consisting of ministers and a large entourage of aides. He believes that Tinubu needs to understand the struggles of the people, as having 45 ministers and numerous aides puts a heavy burden on an already fragile economy.
Furthermore, Olatunji condemned the removal of fuel subsidy without a proper plan to mitigate its effects. He argued that the current economic policy is hurting the poor and vulnerable the most. Olatunji emphasized the need to reduce the cost of governance during these challenging times, suggesting that having 26 ministers and a few aides would have been sufficient given the country’s current situation.
He stated, “The president hastily removed the fuel subsidy without implementing measures to lessen its impact, which is why we find ourselves in this dire situation. Hopefully, he will reconsider his decisions, and the country can move in the right direction.”
Olatunji highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding, stating that it is unfair to ask Nigerians to adjust their standard of living while living an extravagant life. He acknowledged the frustrations and hardships that people are facing but urged them not to lose hope.
It is worth noting that the removal of fuel subsidy by Tinubu in June led to a nationwide increase in the cost of goods and services, affecting the daily lives of Nigerians.
