Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the current state of poverty in Nigeria as unprecedented. According to Sowore, the widespread hunger and infrastructural decay across the country reveal a failure to invest the proceeds from the removal of fuel subsidies into meaningful economic development.
Speaking during a live broadcast on Channels TV, monitored by Chronicles Reporters on Wednesday, Sowore accused the Tinubu government of continuing the trend of resource mismanagement seen in previous administrations. He argued that instead of addressing the challenges facing citizens, the government has failed to deliver on its promises.
Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit remains a critical issue, with experts estimating that the country needs between $100 billion and $150 billion annually for the next decade to bridge the gap. This deficit has stifled economic growth and human development, affecting key sectors such as transportation, healthcare, education, and power supply.
During a recent visit to his hometown in Ondo State, Sowore witnessed the dire state of the nation’s roads and public amenities. He also observed the alarming level of hunger among the people, describing the situation as the worst he has ever seen.
“There is total mismanagement of the resources of the country, and I am not saying this because it’s what people want to hear,” Sowore stated. “We were told, as of a year ago when they took over power, that the first decision they made was to remove the fuel subsidy. They claimed that whatever savings were made would be used to improve the economy and bring prosperity and development.
“However, none of that can be seen anywhere in the country. I just returned from my state, Ondo State, and the state of road infrastructure is the worst I have seen in a long time. I have not seen poverty like this until recent times.”
Sowore further noted that many Nigerians are currently worse off than they were before Tinubu’s inauguration in 2023. His concerns align with those expressed by the Afenifere group, which recently criticised Tinubu’s leadership. The group lamented that the economic state of the nation has deteriorated significantly after just one year under his administration.
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