As Nigeria marks President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office, former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has criticised the administration, saying it has failed to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking on *Politics Today*, a Channels Television programme aired on Wednesday, Suswam described the current economic situation as unbearable for most Nigerians. He blamed the hardship on President Tinubu’s economic policies and the lack of effective measures to ease their impact.
“My assessment of this government is simple — they have not done well at all. The suffering in the country is too much, and there are no signs of relief,” Suswam said.
The former governor, who is also a former senator, expressed disappointment that while the government removed fuel subsidies, devalued the naira, and raised the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), it failed to implement any meaningful cushioning policies to support the masses.
“You can’t carry out such tough economic reforms in a fragile, non-productive economy like ours without providing buffers. It’s not sustainable,” he stated.
Suswam further said the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government appears out of touch with the realities facing Nigerians. He accused them of focusing on praise and political positioning rather than addressing the pressing needs of the people.
His comments come amid growing concerns over rising inflation, worsening poverty, and the continued depreciation of the naira since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. Tinubu’s administration had announced sweeping reforms under the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” including the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of the exchange rate.
In contrast, leaders of the APC have praised the president’s performance. At the recent APC National Policy and Development Summit in Abuja, the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, also defended the president, saying he had done well under tough circumstances.
“If he hasn’t done well, is it not we in the National Assembly that would have served him notice of impeachment?” Akpabio said. “We’re not doing that. I believe 2027 will be better.”
However, Suswam urged President Tinubu to ignore those already endorsing him for re-election in 2027. Instead, he said the president should focus on delivering results and connecting with the people.
“The worst election to face is not the one against political parties, but the one against the people. They are the real deciders,” he said. “Tinubu should focus on the pain of the people, not sycophants who are only interested in politics.”
Suswam concluded by warning that failure to address the economic hardship would lead to political consequences in the future, saying, “Nigerians are watching, and they will speak at the right time.”
