Follow Us on Google
SPOTLIGHTS
- The Labour Party expressed deep disappointment at President Tinubu’s remarks on poverty
- The party criticised the government’s spending priorities, citing renovations of presidential residences and the potential acquisition of new jets
- The statement highlighted the plight of schools, healthcare institutions, and public servants.
- The Labour Party urged the president to uphold the constitution and prioritise the welfare of the people
From Idu Jude, Abuja
The leadership of the Labour Party has expressed disappointment, though not surprise, at President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s comments about the excruciating poverty his administration’s policies have unleashed on Nigerians since he took office over a year ago.
In a press statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifo, the party noted that it is disheartening to hear the President mock his fellow citizens by saying Nigerians are not the only ones facing poverty in the world.*
Read also: Activists protest over hardship
The statement further reads, “Assuming but not conceding that what he said is true, Nigerians who are at the receiving end of his harsh economic policies don’t need to be reminded about the pain and hunger they have been forced to live with by the very people who put them in that situation in the first place.”
“Maybe this administration needs to be reminded that it was elected to reduce, if not eliminate, poverty, hunger and disease, but what we have seen is an obsession with opulence.”
“We are yet to get over the billions appropriated for the renovation of the President and Vice President’s lodges, now we hear they want new jets to join the Presidential fleet.”
“Our schools and health institutions are on their knees, the same government claims it cannot afford to pay public servants a living wage but has enough to make itself comfortable at the expense of the suffering masses.”
“Mr. President, we implore you to uphold the constitution you swore to protect. The constitution says the security and welfare of the populace shall be the primary purpose of the existence of your government. Enough is this mockery.”
_____________________
*According to World Bank figures,, the share of the Nigerian population living in extreme poverty fell from a peak of 58 per cent in 1996 to almost 31 per cent in 2018 (the last year public figures are available for the country). However, this is compared to 8 per cent of the World population living in extreme poverty as of 2022, up to four times below the Nigerian data. Extreme poverty is defined as living below the International Poverty Line of $2.15 per day. At 31 per cent, Nigeria ranks 13th in the list of countries with a significant proportion of their population in extreme poverty – doing better than the worst (DRC at 79 per cent) but worse than the global average of 8 per cent.
