Sowore criticizes FG's economic reforms, says numbers don't help Nigerians

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has slammed the Federal Government’s economic reforms. He said rising revenue and other economic indicators have not improved life for Nigerians.

Sowore spoke during an interview on Arise Television on Monday. He said the success of the government’s economic policies should be seen in how they affect Nigerians’ lives. This includes standard of living, jobs, education, security, and wages.

He criticized the government for using increased revenue, tax collection, and the tax-to-GDP ratio as proof of economic progress.

Sowore said Nigerians care more about being able to afford basic needs. They want to see if the reforms are creating jobs, helping businesses, and improving public services.

“They are bringing out numbers as if we are foolish people. They want to do a mental adjustment on the psyche of the people. They say you are feeling better because our GDP-to-tax ratio is higher.

“We are talking about GDP to tax, but what about GDP to standard of living? Nobody is talking about that. That’s why I said it is a repetition of the same old explanation of their economic failures,” he said.

Sowore added that the government should show how its reforms help people. This includes creating new industries, jobs, schools, roads, and other infrastructure.

“What we are asking them to produce are the wealthier people in society, the schools that have been built, the roads that you have constructed after you remove subsidy, and how your people are faring, how your businesses are faring,” he said.

He noted that even with more government revenue, Nigerians are facing higher living costs and less purchasing power. Many businesses are struggling to survive.

“Businesses are pretty much gone. You have closed down industries. Your people are poor. We are not just talking about poor people. We are talking about people who are multidimensionally poor,” he said.

Sowore also criticized the removal of fuel subsidy. He said this policy has added to the economic burden on everyday Nigerians.

He explained that subsidy is not always a bad economic policy. Many governments use subsidies to protect their vulnerable citizens and support important sectors.

“There is no country in the world that doesn’t subsidise their poor. In fact, the people that get the most subsidy in Nigeria are not the poor. It’s the rich,” he said.

The activist claimed that rich individuals and businesses benefit from government waivers and other incentives. Meanwhile, ordinary Nigerians are hit hard by subsidy removal.

“All the people who bring in foreign goods and services, go and look at their waivers, their customs. You know who is getting a real subsidy compared to the people who are getting from each gallon of petrol that was taken away from them,” he said.

Sowore said that removing the subsidy and other economic policies have led to a weaker naira and worsening living conditions.

“The moment you remove the subsidy, look at where your economy tanked. Your naira also went down the toilet,” he said.

He called for a major change in how the country manages its economy. He urged the government to make policies that create opportunities for most people, not just a few.

Sowore also called for steps to ensure the minimum wage is enough, help businesses grow, and improve access to education, healthcare, security, and other key services.

He said economic reforms should show real benefits in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

“Optics don’t feed people. Propaganda can’t feed people. People are dying in this country of hunger and starvation. People can’t afford to live,” he said.

The AAC presidential candidate emphasized that the government cannot claim economic success while millions of Nigerians struggle to meet their basic needs.

“We must stop deceiving ourselves. We need fresh ideas and fresh people who can make this country work,” he said.

Sowore also called for more accountability in how economic reforms are carried out. He insisted that the Federal Government must show how increased revenue is making real changes in the lives of Nigerians.