Makinde camp accuses Tinubu of worsening poverty, cites N166.7tn debt

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of worsening Nigeria’s economic challenges, citing widespread poverty, rising public debt and persistent insecurity.

The organisation made the allegation in a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Nnanna Ihediwa. It said the country’s economic hardship and declining public confidence required a change of direction ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The campaign organisation cited a World Bank estimate that about 140 million Nigerians were living in poverty, accusing the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of failing to adequately address the hardship facing citizens.

It also criticised the government’s borrowing strategy, citing Nigeria’s public debt of about N166.7 trillion and plans to obtain an additional $1.5 billion in financing from the World Bank.

“President Tinubu is burying Nigeria by instalment, saddling the nation with a debt burden her future generation won’t be able to pay,” the organisation said.

The MDPCO warned that continued borrowing without a clear repayment strategy could worsen the country’s economic difficulties. It argued that the growing debt burden had yet to translate into meaningful improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians.

The organisation also cited challenges in education, infrastructure and security as evidence of the country’s development problems, alleging that the administration’s handling of the issues had weakened public confidence in the government.

It urged Nigerians to consider Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s proposed RESET NIGERIA agenda ahead of the 2027 election. According to the organisation, the agenda would prioritise economic growth, transparency, social stability and reforms in education, security and productive sectors.