Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has voiced his concerns regarding President Bola Tinubu’s recent approach to addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges. George cautioned that the solutions proposed by the President could potentially exacerbate the nation’s economic woes.
During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, George shared that while he was initially encouraged by President Tinubu’s acknowledgment that he had “heard Nigerians,” he quickly realized that simply listening to the people is not sufficient. He stressed that hearing the public’s concerns must be accompanied by well-thought-out and effective decisions that can genuinely address the country’s economic crisis.
“When I heard the President say he has heard Nigerians, I was momentarily pleased,” George remarked. “However, the remedies he has put forward could very well push the nation into a more critical condition, almost akin to placing us in an Intensive Care Unit. The solutions he’s offering do not seem to be beneficial or acceptable to the people.”
George criticized the administration’s plan to allocate substantial funds toward palliative measures, arguing that such an approach is inadequate to meet the needs of Nigeria’s over 200 million citizens. He suggested that rather than short-term relief efforts, the government should prioritize sustainable, long-term strategies, such as providing microcredits to farmers. By empowering farmers and enhancing agricultural production, George believes that the nation could achieve a notable increase in food supply within six to nine months, which would, in turn, drive down prices due to increased market competition.
Additionally, George underscored that the current strategy of distributing palliatives and seeking the endorsement of traditional leaders is outdated and fails to address the complexities of the modern, digital era. He emphasized the need for more innovative and forward-thinking approaches to tackle the economic challenges facing Nigeria today.
He added: “They need to go back to their drawing board and access. It is better to teach the people how to fish rather than spending all that money buying palliatives. Over 200 million people. How are these palliatives distributed?