Nigerians not lab rats’ – Atiku’s aid blasts Tinubu’s economic reforms

Paul Ibe, the media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's economic policies, alleging that they have led to increased poverty among Nigerians. This criticism comes in response to comments made by Daniel Bwala on Channels Television, where Bwala claimed that Tinubu's economic reforms have increased the number of Nigerians living in poverty.

Ibe, speaking via his X handle, accused the Tinubu administration of prioritizing policy defense over the well-being of its citizens. He emphasized that policies should be designed to improve the lives of people, not the other way around. Ibe argued that economic reforms should aim to enhance human welfare, not exacerbate suffering and poverty.

He pointed out that the purpose of economic reforms is to improve the lives of citizens, not to devastate their financial situations. Ibe highlighted that if Tinubu's policies have driven more Nigerians into poverty, reduced purchasing power, and increased the costs of essential goods like food, transportation, and electricity, then those policies need immediate review.

Ibe called for a transparent, production-based subsidy framework to alleviate energy costs and provide relief to households and businesses. He stressed that reform should have a human face, serving the people rather than sacrificing them for economic theories.

Bwala's admission was presented as an indictment of an administration more focused on defending its policies than serving the people those policies are meant to help. Ibe reminded Bwala of the fundamental principle that policies are made for man, not man for policies.

He questioned who benefits from Tinubu's economic success, asking whether it's the government collecting more revenue or the average Nigerian struggling to feed a family, pay electricity bills, and keep a business afloat. Ibe concluded by stating that Tinubu cannot claim economic success while admitting his policies have made more Nigerians poor. He warned that if re-elected, Tinubu will likely be seen as an undertaker, given the policies' likely impact on Nigerians' lives.