Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate representing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 election, addressed Nigerians on Sunday, asserting that they are bound to endure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his perceived “unfavorable” policies for the next four years,Daily Trust reports.
Speaking on the current challenges facing Nigeria during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Adebayo responded to inquiries about potential alternative actions he would have taken had he won the presidential election. He indicated that he would not have immediately removed petrol subsidies upon assuming office, opting instead to seek an amendment to the 2023 Appropriation Act through the National Assembly to phase out subsidies gradually.
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Expressing his dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s policies, Adebayo remarked, “These policies are unfavorable, not because of the political party advocating for them, but because they do not align with our needs.” He emphasized that the benefits derived from these policies were outweighed by the hardships they imposed, urging the Tinubu administration to demonstrate greater humility in implementing measures aimed at alleviating the suffering of Nigerians.
Nigeria currently grapples with escalating inflation, a foreign exchange crisis, and economic difficulties stemming from the elimination of petrol subsidies and foreign exchange reforms.
Adebayo underscored the importance of acknowledging that Nigerians endorsed these policies through their votes, likening the situation to the biblical tale of the Israelites who called upon Moses to lead them out of Egypt, only to find the wilderness a challenging place to inhabit. He emphasized, “You voted for these policies, they may not be favorable, but until the next election, you are obligated to abide by them.”
