Nigerian businessman and social commentator, Prince Isaac Fayose, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the worsening economic hardship in the country, saying the large number of people who gathered outside the wedding ceremony of popular content creators, Peller and Jarvis, reflected the growing level of hunger among Nigerians.
Fayose made the remarks in a video posted on his official Facebook page on Sunday, where he reacted to scenes from the wedding ceremony of the social media personalities.
According to him, the number of youths popularly referred to as “area boys” outside the event was greater than the number of invited guests, a situation he said highlighted the difficult economic conditions facing many Nigerians.
The businessman argued that many of those outside the venue were hoping to get food or financial assistance from guests attending the event, describing it as another sign of widespread poverty and hardship.
Congratulating the newly married couple, Fayose said the ceremony attracted many prominent guests, but noted that what caught his attention most was the crowd gathered outside.
“Jarvis and Peller, congratulations to you. I saw many good people there but I saw more of the area boys on the street. The area boys are even more than the guests,” he said.
According to him, the development was a reflection of the worsening economic situation in the country.
“That shows that there is a massive hunger in the land. I saw the area boys running after cars, humbling themselves and accepting their fate that they are born to be hungry,” he added.
Fayose blamed the situation on what he described as the Federal Government’s inability to address the country’s economic challenges.
He criticised President Tinubu over a recent comment in which the President reportedly said that hunger had existed long before he was born, arguing that such remarks did not offer hope to Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
“Our President came out and said that before he was born, there was hunger. Now the hunger has tripled,” Fayose stated.
He compared Nigeria’s economic situation with that of developed countries, saying governments should focus on improving citizens’ welfare instead of explaining why hardship exists.
“There is no hunger in the UK and US but in his own dictionary, Tinubu said hunger has been there, so why did he force himself into power to re-enthrone and reinforce hunger?” he asked.
The businessman also accused the President of failing to communicate effectively with ordinary Nigerians on economic issues.
According to him, the administration has not presented a convincing strategy to reduce the rising cost of living or ease the hardship experienced by many families.
“Tinubu doesn’t have an idea of how to talk to the masses these days. No economic strategy to tackle this hunger in the land,” he said.
Fayose further claimed that the level of hardship had become so severe that many Nigerians were no longer expressing anger but had become overwhelmed by their daily struggle for survival.
“Hungry man in Nigeria is no longer angry, we are too hungry to be angry. People are completely enslaved by this APC government,” he said.
He also referred to the next general election, saying political slogans and campaign activities would have little meaning if the economic conditions of the people did not improve.
“An election is coming and they are forming City Boy and Mama’s Boy, but people that are hungry are not forming anything,” he added.
Fayose’s comments come at a time when concerns over the rising cost of living continue to dominate public discussions across the country.
Since the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023 and the floating of the naira, the prices of food, transportation and other essential goods have risen sharply, putting pressure on households and businesses.
The Federal Government has acknowledged the hardship and has repeatedly said that the economic reforms are necessary to rebuild the economy and attract investment. Government officials have argued that although the reforms have created short-term difficulties, they are expected to deliver long-term benefits through increased economic growth, improved public finances and job creation.
To cushion the impact of the reforms, the government has introduced several intervention programmes, including cash transfers to vulnerable households, student loans, support for small businesses and agricultural initiatives aimed at increasing food production.
However, many Nigerians continue to complain that the cost of living remains high and that the relief measures have not reached enough people.
In recent months, labour unions, civil society organisations, opposition politicians and economic experts have repeatedly urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle inflation, strengthen the value of the naira and improve food security.
Food inflation remains one of the biggest challenges facing the country, with the prices of staple foods such as rice, beans, yam, tomatoes and cooking oil increasing significantly over the past two years.
The wedding of Peller and Jarvis, which attracted celebrities, social media influencers and fans, became one of the most talked-about events on social media over the weekend.
While many Nigerians celebrated the couple, videos from the event also showed large crowds outside the venue, with many attempting to catch a glimpse of the celebrities or seek assistance from guests.
It was those scenes that prompted Fayose’s criticism, as he argued that the crowds reflected the growing economic difficulties confronting many young Nigerians.
His remarks have since generated mixed reactions online. While some social media users agreed that the scenes highlighted the level of hardship in the country, others argued that large crowds often gather at celebrity events regardless of the economic situation.