Omanghana
President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has accused opposition politicians of dismissing the President’s Independence Day address without properly considering its contents.
In posts on X on Friday, October 2, Onanuga claimed that some critics appeared to have prepared their responses before Tinubu delivered the October 1 broadcast on national television and radio.
He argued that their reactions overlooked the President’s central defense of his economic policies: that the reforms were introduced to address weaknesses that already existed in Nigeria’s economy.
“Our reforms did not create the weaknesses in our economy. They confronted them,” Tinubu said in remarks highlighted by the presidential spokesman.
Onanuga also drew attention to the President’s rejection of calls to restore the previous subsidy system. Tinubu maintained that reversing the reforms would undermine efforts to correct longstanding economic distortions.
The President cited economic expansion of more than four per cent so far in 2026, with contributions from both oil and non-oil activities, as evidence supporting his administration’s position.
In the address, Tinubu acknowledged that the reforms had brought painful consequences but argued that successive governments had delayed difficult decisions. He said the administration’s next priority was to translate economic improvements into lower living costs, employment and increased production.
The presidency’s defense comes amid continuing criticism over the impact of government policies on household finances. Opponents have questioned whether the reported economic gains are delivering meaningful relief from rising prices and weakened purchasing power.
While the government presents its reforms as necessary for lasting stability, critics continue to challenge their implementation and the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians.
Source: Omanghana
