A former lawmaker in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, cautioned presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, against making promises that could cause chaos in the country.
In a statement on Sunday, Oyintiloye said Atiku, Obi, and other presidential candidates made unrealistic campaign promises given Nigeria’s current economic realities.
He said Atiku and Obi’s promise to restore the fuel subsidy was unrealistic, as all organs and tiers of government have already adjusted to life under the current regime of no oil subsidy.
According to him, “It is practically impossible to think of returning Nigeria to the era of fuel subsidy. Alhaji Atiku and Mr Obi should be mindful of the implications of whatever promise they make to get Nigerians’ attention.
“The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, also promised to peg the pump price of petrol at N300 per litre if elected. How realistic is that?
“I appeal to the opposition candidates to be truthful to themselves and stop deceiving Nigerians. Most of their promises are nothing but a recipe for public chaos,” Oyintiloye said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms drove major fiscal adjustments, though they also placed considerable pressure on households and businesses.
He said increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) gave state governments greater financial flexibility to meet obligations, execute development projects, and address infrastructure and social-service deficits.
He urged opposition candidates to support the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the economy or adopt alternative campaign strategies, rather than promise what they cannot deliver.
“Presently, salaries and wages are based on the post-fuel subsidy removal earnings of the government. With the restoration of the fuel subsidy these candidates are promising, will wages and salaries be reviewed downward too? What will the state’s earnings be after the fuel subsidy is restored? What becomes of several ongoing government projects awarded based on their current earnings? Nigerians are wiser,” Oyintiloye further said.
The APC chieftain, however, called on state governors to demonstrate accountability by translating increased revenue into better roads, improved healthcare, stronger food production, regular payment of salaries and pensions, and more employment opportunities.
He opined that citizens expect tangible improvements in their living conditions, not increased government revenue without visible benefits at the grassroots level.
He also urged the Federal Government to sustain efforts to ease the current economic burden on vulnerable households, curb inflationary pressures, expand employment opportunities and improve purchasing power.
He further urged Nigerians to assess the Federal Government’s economic reforms objectively, expressing optimism that they would eventually yield positive results for all.
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