₦airaland Forum

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, saying the year 2025 promises brighter days.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Durosinmi Meseko, made the call in a Christmas message on Tuesday in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.

Meseko highlighted the various economic policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing their potential to deliver positive outcomes for the nation.


According to him, the full effects of the initiatives would become evident in the coming year, leading to improved economic conditions for all Nigerians.

“This Christmas, let us celebrate the spirit of hope and renewal. The policies of President Tinubu are already laying the foundation for a more prosperous Nigeria, and we can expect to see tangible results in 2025.

“Let us remain steadfast in our belief that brighter days are ahead. The APC Government has promised to address the challenges confronting the country through its economic reforms, and a tangible impact on the lives of ordinary citizens will manifest in 2025,” he said.

Richtaiwo:
So a person earning 70k will go for that type of shopping? He will buy half bag of rice and 1 gallon of vegetable oil shey? Shebi na mad person dey advice am ni? Keep telling lies till 2027 when Peter Obi will be reminded he can't be president of Nigeria.

AFTER 18 months in office, Bola Tinubu’s first presidential media chat gives nothing away. The President trod wearily on the old paths: the removal of petrol subsidies, the uncontrolled cost of governance, including the bloated cabinet, corruption, and a lack of domestic production. In the end, Tinubu created the impression of hope but the reality on the ground is a different ball game.

The President made sense regarding the administration’s tax reforms. He is right that Nigeria’s tax laws are obsolete. The proposals will widen the tax net and relieve the lowly-paid workers. The main antagonists are the political leaders from the North and some state governors.

At between 6.3 per cent and 10.6 per cent of GDP, Nigeria has one of the lowest tax ratios in the world. The African average is 15 per cent, and the OECD made 33.9 per cent in 2023. The World Bank recommends a minimum of 15 per cent. Tinubu’s target is 18 per cent by 2026.

In[b] many ways, the opposition to the new VAT distribution formula, which is derivation-based, is a pushback against federalism. The reforms are right to put more money in the hands of the lowly paid for consumption and savings.The wealthy should pay more. Tinubu should press on but engage the opponents of the tax reforms more.
[/b]


The removal of the petrol subsidies, a decision he made within his first hour in office, continues to haunt him. Sounding defiant, Tinubu abjured the retention of the subsidies or its phased removal. “There is no way that you give out fuel and allow all the neighbouring countries as Father Christmas,” he said. “I don’t have any regret whatsoever in removing the subsidy. It is necessary. We cannot spend our future generations’ investments upfront.”

The President is focused solely on government revenue. From N200 per litre in May 2023, petrol sold for N1,300 per litre about two months ago though with the Dangote Refinery and competition, the prices have reduced. This has created a huge financial hole in the pockets.

In a country where the minimum wage is about $40 per month compared to $16.50 per hour in California, Nigerians are living in extreme hardship. It is not easy for businesses as well. The President misses the point by saying those who own luxury cars should reduce their ostentatious lifestyle. Even manufacturers are struggling with high energy bills. This is seen in the closures and the exit of multinationals.

Rightly, Tinubu declares: “Babajide (Otitoju), I don’t believe in price control.” This is a fundamental principle at the heart of successful modern economies. It forms the basis of the withdrawal of petrol subsidies and the cancellation of the subsidies for Band ‘A’ electricity consumers.

To make it count, Tinubu should expressly walk the talk. After removing the petrol subsidies, he should have commenced the privatisation of the four NNPC-owned refineries. The government should not control the means of production; it is a recipe for corruption, inefficiencies, joblessness, and importation of what the country has a comparative advantage in.

The liberalisation of the telecoms sector in 2001 proved that the Nigerian government is unwise to hold on to the critical points of the economy, especially in the steel, petroleum, and electricity sectors. If Tinubu does not believe in price control, he should allow private capital to work in Nigeria.

The President resisted the suggestion to reduce the size of his bloated cabinet. His argument that Nigeria is a large country betrays prioritising politics over logic. Nigeria has a population of 230 million and a $362.8 billion GDP.

Apart from nearly 50 cabinet members, the President has a slew of aides of full cabinet rank. He acquired an aircraft with $150 million and luxury Escalade vehicles for presidential use. In a video circulating online, a Nigerian woman was seen trekking to work alongside Mark Rutte, the former Netherlands’ prime minister.

The federal parliament is a house of unbridled consumption and waste. The Economist of London describes members as the highest paid in the world. Legislators receive N21 million monthly; ranking legislators receive N500 million yearly as constituency allowance. Waste.

In contrast, the United States, with a population of 334.9 million and a $27.36 trillion GDP, operates with a 16-man cabinet. Tinubu should get competent people on board and stop making excuses. Canada has a $2.14 trillion GDP and operates a 35-member cabinet, including the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.


In the First Republic, the premiers ran with lean cabinets. Governor Adekunle Ajasin ran Ondo State with a compact cabinet in the Second Republic. Tinubu should cut Nigeria’scoataccording to itseconomic size.

Nudged about his ambitious target to slash inflation from 34.60 per cent to 15 per cent in 2025, the President reiterated his earlier promise during the 2025 budget presentation. He hinged this on domestic production, ranching, improved security, and mechanised farming (agriculture rather than subsistence farming).

This is a mixed bag. Inflation has been relentless since Tinubu cancelled petrol subsidies and floated the naira. Worse, the lending rate is 27.5 per cent. This disincentivises borrowing for production.

Food inflation is far higher. In the core food-producing states, bandits, Islamic terrorists, kidnappers, and Fulani herders have combined to send the farmers packing from the land. Although it is harvesting season, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and beans are overly expensive. At N90,000 per 50kg bag, only princes can afford rice in a country where the minimum wage is N70,000 monthly.

In truth, the security system is still very weak. He has promised to end banditry, but the policing system is archaic and unfit for a modern era or a federal system of government. Unwisely, Nigeria is the only federal system operating a single police structure. Most officers are assigned illegally to protect VIPs to the detriment of all citizens. State police is the way forward.

The President is excited about his fight against corruption. He cited the seizure of 753 duplexes in Abuja from an individual, the payment of N70,000 as the minimum wage and the student loan as proof. The seizure is without full disclosure, which gives a hint of elite protection. His cabinet is ringed with ministers with questions about their moral credentials. Grand corruption and budget paddingare irredeemably high.

However, it is the things unsaid that give away Tinubu’s struggles. The President praised himself for achieving local government autonomy through the Supreme Court. That is a pyrrhic victory. It is a test for the 1999 Constitution, as the case in Edo State shows. Federal systems operate mainly with a centre and the federating units as is the case in the US, Canada, Germany, and Australia.

It is tempting for Tinubu to think the judgement will save Nigeria. The solution is what Tinubu is avoiding: true federalism. The 1999 Constitution is fit only for the dustbin, but true federalism will set it on the path of progress.

Presidents make the mistake of thinking that Nigeria will work without federalism; it cannot. It is an unjust system in which the centre appropriates the largest share of revenue and LGs are used to share money. In the First Republic, the regions retained 50 per cent of their incomes.

Nigeria should return to that. It is the best legacy Tinubu can give to Nigeria.

AS Nigerians celebrate the Yuletide, the festive cheers are clouded by unprecedented economic gloom, hunger, and fear of personal safety. The soaring cost of living has destroyed the season’s spirit. President Bola Tinubu and his economic team must take tangible steps to reverse the trauma.

Alarmingly, food prices have increased beyond the reach of the average citizen, leaving many households struggling to afford basic holiday meals. Food inflation is pegged at 39.93 per cent while headline inflation is 34.60 per cent. The implication is the high cost of basic needs amid stagnant purchasing power.

A 50kg bag of rice is selling for N90,000 to N100,000, and chicken, ranging from N15,000 to N35,000. Prices of yam, millet, maize, meat, dairy products, fish, and palm oil have risen astronomically. The government should expedite the implementation of the zero-tariff policy it promised to boost food importation and supply instead of displaying a troubling lack of urgency on widespread hunger in the country.

Despite attempts by the NNPC to reduce the pump price of petrol to ease economic despair, food, transportation, housing, and ancillary costs remain high.

The grim reality is exacerbated by exorbitant transportation costs, making it nearly impossible for students and families to reunite for the Yuletide. Although the government has rolled out palliative measures to reduce transport fares by 50 per cent for 271,704 passengers, it remains a far cry for over 230 million Nigerians. The situation is compounded by electricity shortages, ensuring that even the faintest glimmer of festivity is overshadowed by ravaging economic stress.

Meanwhile, the statutorily approved minimum wage of N70,000 remains insufficient to cushion the economic blows. Worse still, many state governments have yet to implement this increment, leaving millions trapped in poverty.

Unfortunately, recent reports of an increase in highway patrol spots imply that extortion and human rights violations may turn holiday travel into a nightmare for many Nigerians. The despair of being fleeced by law enforcement agencies is deepened by the indignity of enduring dangerous roads and the fear of being attacked or kidnapped.

While Nigeria continues to spiral into turmoil, the government’s economic team projects a façade of economic progress by peddling self-popularised macroeconomic indicators to Bretton Woods institutions. The reality is that the social welfare programmes of the government have failed to make any meaningful impact, leaving citizens to wallow in multidimensional poverty.

Therefore, the government must stop abdicating its core responsibility to the welfare of the people; it must rejig the social welfare programmes. The disparity between government statistics and the harsh reality should be bridged with pragmatic solutions.

Citizens can respond to government laxity at the ballot. Instead of receiving bribes and handouts on election day, they should learn from the recent US presidential elections, where unemployment and the high cost of living made Kamala Harris lose to the opposition Donald Trump.

Although the Tinubu government has stated that the recent stampedes in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja should not be linked to it, it cannot completely absolve itself after the twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of the naira rates.

The severity of food insecurity has rendered necessities unaffordable. The situation is compounded by the rash of banditry, criminality, kidnapping, and killing of farmers. Tinubu and his security team must curb this.

The Yuletide should be a time of joy, reflection, and recalibration for the New Year, but for many Nigerians, it is a season of gloom. Tinubu has been in office for over a year, and the time for excuses has passed. His administration must demonstrate that it prioritises the welfare of Nigerians above all sentiments.

The festive season offers an opportunity for the government to restore hope and confidence in its leadership.

yarimo:
Only few Nigerians knows how to press bitter people mumu bottom 🤣🤣

asasegun:
Even in the message, there is a stray bullet 😂

helinues:
Forget shit, things are working under this government

helinues:
The low class people in Nigeria should also start being responsible. They are mostly the ones producing the criminals, Oloshos and yahoo boys

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Monday media chat as confirmation of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government’s insensitivity to the suffering of Nigerians.

Tinubu had in the media chat, said his policies were yielding positive results, stressing that there was no going back on tax reforms and fuel subsidy removal.

The president also said he was not prepared to downsize his cabinet despite the clamour to cut down the cost of governance in the country.


But reacting, the PDP in a statement on Tuesday by its national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the president’s comments meant that he and this party, the APC, were disconnected from Nigerians and the challenges facing them.


The PDP said the “ill-implemented and anti-people policies of the APC” are having serious effects on citizens, adding that President Tinubu should travel by road to see things for himself.

“Also alarming is President Tinubu’s claim that Nigerians can now freely and safely travel by road despite the horrible reality of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery, as well as the worsened condition of highways across the country under the APC.

“The PDP urges President Tinubu to travel from Abuja to Lagos by road, visit any of our markets or take a walk on the street of any city in Nigeria to properly gauge and appreciate the real situation in the country rather than relying on fabricated statistics being bandied by officials of his government.

“The widespread food stampede in various parts of the country which recently led to the deaths of about 80 Nigerians shows that our nation is indeed in a perilous time under the APC,” the opposition party said.


The APC national publicity secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, couldn’t be reached for comments at press time.

Softmirror:
Dele Farotimi's case is one of the easiest cases ever unless of course he doesn't have undisputable evidence to back up his claims.

Afe Babalola has made it clear, 'PRODUCE YOUR EVIDENCE TO YOUR CLAIMS AND WALK AWAY'. It is as simple as that. Otherwise na you find wetin your eyes dey see.

Malroux:
One of the few good Yoruba men.

shortgun:
I have no doubt nobody in your lineage will ever step foot in places i consider playgrounds

Softmirror:
🥴 jmoore, Zulu11zulu and it all worked out as planned.

Even Tinubu was behaving funny during the campaign you will think compared to now he had a degree in acting.

For the records Reno said all that before Tinubu became President and he did all that on purpose to keep the headless mob busy.

Reno made sure the headless mob focused on the color of Tinubu's teeth and other irrelevances wasting their time on trivialities. Up till today, they headless mob are lacking in substance.

CSTRR:
Keep up the energy.

2027 is not far away.

Atleast, you can't blackmail the east with fake southern political alliance.

Atiku and obi just needs to do the right thing and save us all from these noise making.

Factcheck0001:
he's not my hero but my favourite lie burster

Factcheck0001:
obi

Factcheck0001:
it's not obsession but putting d liar in his place

Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction with the video and sound quality of the first Presidential Media Chat featuring President Bola Tinubu, aired on Monday by the Nigerian Television Authority.

Ahead of the broadcast, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had announced in a statement that “all television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast.”

However, viewers noted that the broadcast on NTA suffered from grainy visuals and muffled audio, with some channels linked to the station also reflecting these issues.

Taking to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, they voiced their concerns.


David Offor, tweeting as @DavidsOffor, wrote, “In 2025, NTA needs to improve in sound and visual qualities!! This is the national TV of the largest black nation in the world o 😉”

#AsiwajuOladimeji, using the username @AsiwajuOladimej, said: “Privatize NTA. Enough is Enough!”

Tosin.X, tweeting as @Dontee_, commented: “TVC obviously recorded the interview with their own camera. This is better than the nonsense NTA is showing. Please switch your TV or YouTube to TVC guys”


Ridwan Oke, using the handle @Ridwanullahii, added: “Only TVC has a good recording of the Presidential Media Chat. We thought NTA was back. Mtcheew”

Man of Letters, tweeting as @Letter_to_Jack, declared: “NTA is a disgrace to this country. They should be scrapped”

DANIEL, using the username @DanielWhalee, wrote: “What did NTA digitise abeg? With this poster coloured pictures and transistor radio sound.”

Ọlá, tweeting as @mrolaoluwa, noted: “NTA isn’t even broadcasting in 1080p.”

“It’s better on TVC. Everybody at NTA should be fired!” Abdulbasit Ayomikun Afolabi, using the handle @Baasit_Afolabi, stated.

During the live broadcast, President Tinubu defended his decision to remove the fuel subsidy, saying it was necessary to safeguard the country’s finances and future investments.

“I don’t have any regret in removing the fuel subsidy. We cannot spend our generation investment.

”We have no choice. Otherwise, we are headed for the slippery slope… financial disaster, not just for us but our children,” the President said.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Civil Society Organisations have called for further reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), stressing that the recent drop in price to N935/litre is not satisfactory.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery in partnership with MRS recently announced a reduction in petrol price to N935/litre.

Before the announcement, the commodity sold for over N1,030/litre in Lagos and environs, while it cost more than N1,060/litre in Abuja and Northern states.

Recall that on Sunday, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria said petrol was going to sell at N935/litre beginning from Monday based on the latest arrangement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

IPMAN’s National President, Maigandi Garima, said the reduction in Dangote refinery’s ex-depot price for petrol and the uniform arrangement being put in place, would enable marketers to sell at N935 in their outlets nationwide, incurring a cost of N36 on logistics.

But the announcement did not excite the labour union and CSOs, as they insisted on Monday that the cost of petrol should drop further.

Speaking with The PUNCH, a senior official of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Chris Onyeka, rejected any applause for the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited over the recent reduction in the pump price of petrol.

He argued that the current pricing mechanism does not reflect the true cost of the commodity.

“Do you want us to clap for them? How can we be okay with a price of N935/litre of PMS? This is not the right price for PMS. You cannot base the price on imported products when we have refining capacity in Nigeria,” he said.

He argued that the costs embedded in the current pricing framework—including foreign labour, freight charges, insurance, logistics, and profits accrued abroad—unfairly burden Nigerians.

“Products are refined in Nigeria, yet the price you give Nigerians is based on imported products. Why should we applaud that? It is akin to someone stealing your money and returning only part of it, then expecting you to clap. We cannot applaud this,” he stated.

Onyeka stressed that the only way to ascertain the correct price of PMS is by determining the actual cost of refining it domestically.

“We need to know how much it costs the NNPC to refine a litre of PMS in our local refineries, such as the Port Harcourt refinery. That is the price Nigerians should be paying,” he emphasised.

He called on the government to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians by ensuring that fuel pricing aligns with local realities.


“This country belongs to all Nigerians. Let the government do the right thing that allows Nigerians to breathe. Let the poor breathe.

“The NLC’s position underscores growing discontent among Nigerians over the rising cost of living, with fuel prices being a major contributor to inflation and economic hardship,” he stated.

CSOs react

The Chairman, Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, said the reduced price of N935/litre was still expensive and unsatisfactory, noting that the government and private business could still give out free petrol to citizens.

“Well, we believe that if NNPC and the private sector actually give out PMS for free, they will still not run their business at a loss, because the other derivatives of petroleum products can still serve them, and can still make them to break even. So, even at that N900 and something, it’s still expensive.

“Dangote has kind of mooted the idea that it could drop to as low as N650. And if he has mulled this, then it means that it is the state, it is the NNPC that will have been the clog in the wheel of such progress. And you know also that we expected that fare prices, especially PMS prices, will drop below N200 when Dangote was expected to come on stream.

“So, it’s unfortunate that we are still talking about over N900 and they want us to jump up and rejoice for that. That is not satisfactory. They should just let us see the breakdown of their production cost and why it’s still there. I mean, there are countries like Libya under Gaddafi that gave out PMS for free and they didn’t run anything at any loss. So, I believe that it can still go further down,” he said.

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Ibrahim Rafsanjani, commended the reduction of fuel prices by the NNPC and Dangote, but said the government could still reduce the price.

“Dangote’s own is about N899 or something like that. Well first and foremost, we are happy that there is a little reduction in the prices. But also based on analysis and based on facts and evidences, we believe that it is possible for the Nigerian government to further reduce the prices.

“Because if a private company can reduce the price and it still makes profit, we wonder why government-owned enterprises cannot really pity its citizens,” he said.

Price reduction

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Monday reduced the pump price of petrol at its retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory to N965/litre, down from N1,040/litre.

This occurred as MRS filling stations implemented a new petrol price of N935/litre at all its retail service stations nationwide, in accordance with the agreement signed with the Dangote Refinery.

Checks by our correspondent revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited effected the new price across its retail outlets in the capital city, to the delight of customers.


The new amount is the second price drop of N95 in less than two weeks from N1,060 earlier this month.

At its mega station located along Wuse Zone 4 and Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Central Area, the price of the commodity was sold at N965 per litre with commuters scrambling to join the long queue.

The national oil firm also slashed the petrol price to N965 at its Lugbe and Gudu area opposite Prince and Princess Estate outlets.

Reacting, a motorist at the central area station, who confirmed the price drop, applauded the national oil firm but called for a uniform across all stations for easy access.

He said, “Yes, NNPC has reduced its price to N965. I bought it this morning, but the queue is too long. Maybe because other stations are selling at a different price.”

Another driver, Hassan, said the changes would reflect in cost of transport but didn’t give a specific date.

He said, “This change is good news. We are excited about this price reduction and it will show in transport costs. N95 is a lot of money and it means we can now buy more litres to fuel our car.”

However, major and independent marketers are yet to implement the price reduction as they claim to be selling old stocks bought at a higher price.

A visit to several stations showed that their products were priced between N1,030 and N1,070 at different locations.

AA Rano, along the airport road, sold its product at N1,060 per litre, while NIPCO, along the same route, sold at N1,030 per litre. AP station sold at N1,070, and Mobil station located at Jabi Garage priced its product at N1,040 per litre.

Meanwhile, at the MRS filling station along Kubwa Road and Airport Road, the pump price dropped to N935 per litre from N1,070.

This follows an announcement by the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has partnered with MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets, following a reduction in the ex-depot price from N970 to N899.50 per litre.

The company, in a release, stated that “Petrol is now being sold at N935 at MRS filling stations nationwide.”

richmond500:
he said queue, he didn't say price.
Try and read and comprehend before u start typing long sentence that is off point.

MeNmyfamily:
Why won't you be impressed, when the Daura cow has set the bar for presidential charisma incredibly low.

The President has said he does not support price control as a means of bringing down food prices.

Tinubu, who spoke on Monday during the presidential media chat, said the forces of demand and supply would eventually force down the prices.

He added, “I don’t believe in price control. I’m sorry. What we have to do is to keep supplying the market.”