Afenifere Slams President Tinubu’s Government for Lavish Spending Amidst Economic Hardship

Afenifere Chief Economist, Segun Sanni, has criticized President Bola Tinubu and his cabinet for their lavish lifestyle despite the economic hardship and hunger faced by Nigerians.

Sanni expressed his disappointment on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, stating, “The people of Nigeria would understand better if the government can come clean with us. Nigeria is indeed very broke. We need to cut costs.”

He pointed out the jumbo salaries of government officials and extravagant expenditures, saying, “We are spending lavishly, a government that is spending lavishly and living large cannot tell Nigerians that Nigeria is broke.”

Sanni questioned the government’s priorities, citing examples of excessive spending, including N90 billion on hajj, N21 billion on a new vice president’s lodge, and N40.6 billion to renovate Aso Rock.

He condemned the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for its lack of accountability and opaque spending, saying, “We have an NNPC, the most corrupt, opaque, and inefficient organisation in the world.”

Sanni emphasized the need for judicious spending of government resources, stating, “The government of the country should be in an austerity mode whereby every dollar or naira we make is judiciously spent.”

He called for proper accountability and monitoring of government funds, saying, “There has to be a more judicious spending of our money across all levels of government.”

Sanni’s comments come as Nigerians continue to face economic hardship, with many struggling to make ends meet.