Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general election, has raised alarm over what he describes as a lack of policy engagement by most ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
Adebayo made these remarks during an interview where he discussed the current state of governance in Nigeria.
He criticized the Federal Executive Council (FEC), alleging that its members primarily approve contracts and fail to address pressing national issues.
“Many of them, the only thing they know is the route to their offices,” Adebayo said bluntly.
He added that apart from attending weekly meetings, most ministers struggle to engage with the mandates of their offices.
“The decisions they make are mere approvals, not policies. They have turned themselves into a tenders board,” he remarked.
The SDP leader lamented that Nigeria’s political system prioritizes superficial debates over meaningful policy discussions.
He likened the current governance approach to a “yabis night,” borrowing a phrase from legendary musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
“The political class has turned the entire four years into ‘yabis years,’ where they say whatever they like, consistent or not, without implementing real policies,” Adebayo declared.
Highlighting critical governance metrics, Adebayo listed four pillars necessary for national progress: security, civil service efficiency, rule of law, and industrial growth.
According to him, these pillars are crumbling under the current administration.
“Life and property are not safe, services are not delivered, and the judiciary and industries are barely functional,” he stated.
Adebayo criticized the government for its failure to deliver basic needs like electricity, healthcare, and economic stability.
“If the industry is working, whether people like your face or not, the evidence will be clear,” he added.
Adebayo dismissed the government’s economic policies as shallow and poorly implemented.
He cited the rising complaints from manufacturers, electricity consumers, and even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as evidence of systemic failure.
“The policies they quarrel over are their own policies,” he said, noting that the manufacturing sector has almost become a “museum association” due to the lack of industries.
He accused the government of adopting policies that fail to address Nigeria’s socio-economic realities, arguing that they exacerbate existing challenges.
“If you amplify what the IMF says and pressure the government to meet its standards, things will only get worse,” he warned.
On the national budget, Adebayo criticized the government’s proposed N45 trillion expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year.
He described it as worse than the first year’s budget, especially when adjusted for inflation and currency devaluation.
He also emphasized the link between security and economic progress, stressing that insecurity hinders agricultural development and drives inflation.
“You need to control the land and provide food for the people to tackle inflation,” he advised.
Adebayo differentiated between taking actions and implementing policies, accusing the government of mistaking the former for the latter.
“The fact that you removed fuel subsidy doesn’t make it a proper policy,” he said, explaining that policies require clear objectives, countermeasures, and feedback mechanisms.
He argued that the current administration lacks the uniformity and communication necessary for effective policy implementation.
“What they have are sporadic actions, which, though impactful, do not amount to well-thought-out policies,” he concluded.
Adebayo urged the government to prioritize long-term policy development over short-term actions.
He stressed the need for effective management of government spending, increased employment opportunities, and social investments in education and healthcare.
“If states accessed the N123 billion Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds, more children would be in school, more teachers would be hired, and the economy would grow,” he pointed out.
