Former Cross River State Governor and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, Donald Duke, has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the removal of fuel subsidy has boosted government revenue while deepening economic hardship for Nigerians.
Duke said the continued exchange between the Tinubu administration and opposition parties suggested that the Federal Government was unwilling to reconsider or review what he described as some of its key anti-people policies.
His comments come as political parties and presidential hopefuls begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms increasingly becoming a major issue of political debate.
According to Duke, the fuel subsidy regime that existed before the current administration had merely been replaced with what he described as a poorly managed system that generates more revenue for the government while worsening poverty and weakening the economy.
“The fuel subsidy scam which had preceded the Tinubu administration has been replaced by the poorly-managed option which makes money for governments and impoverishes citizens and the economy,” Duke said.
He argued that the conversation around subsidy removal should go beyond the question of whether subsidies should exist, stressing the need for well-designed economic policies that would protect citizens while strengthening the country’s productive capacity.
“The nation must move beyond debates and adopt well-informed and strategically-designed options so the current economic policies can both address growth and alleviate crushing levels of poverty,” he said.
Duke maintained that Nigeria would not benefit from the continued implementation of the Tinubu administration’s current economic policies.
He said the PRP would adopt a different approach to managing the economy if elected, with greater emphasis on strengthening productive sectors, improving the management of national assets and prioritising the welfare and livelihoods of Nigerians.
“Under the Peoples Redemption Party, sources of the strength of our economy will be reinforced by imaginative scrutiny, enlightened policies and livelihoods of Nigerians as priorities,” he said.
Duke added that Nigeria possesses enormous human and natural resources that could drive sustainable economic growth if properly managed.
He urged the government to look beyond revenue generation and ensure that economic reforms result in tangible improvements in the living standards of citizens.
“Nigerians deserve an administration that will respond to good management and growth and development of our assets,” he said.
His remarks add to the growing debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy and their effect on the cost of living and the broader Nigerian economy.
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