Seyi Makinde, presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has accused President Bola Tinubu of using Nigeria’s reported increase in foreign reserves to create a misleading impression of economic recovery, arguing that millions of citizens continue to face hunger and hardship.
The Oyo State governor made the remarks on Saturday during the official launch of the Makinde and Daura for Better Nigeria (MAD) Resetter Movement in Lagos, describing the emphasis on rising foreign reserves as a political gimmick.
Makinde said improvements in economic indicators would mean little unless they translated into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
Makinde questions focus on foreign reserves
The APM presidential candidate compared the reported growth in foreign reserves to a household with money in savings but whose members cannot afford food.
“We have heard stories that Nigeria’s foreign reserves are going up. I liken it to a household where the head is telling the people that we have a lot of money in our savings accounts, but everyone in that household is hungry,” he said.
Makinde argued that economic progress should be assessed by citizens’ prosperity, financial independence and access to opportunities rather than official financial statistics alone.
He added that young Nigerians should be able to pursue their aspirations in an environment that offers meaningful economic opportunities instead of struggling to survive despite claims of improved economic performance.
Makinde calls for economic and political reset
The governor called for a comprehensive reset of Nigeria’s economy, security architecture, education system and socio-political environment.
“I am with you 101 per cent towards the reset agenda for Nigeria. We need to reset our economy, our security architecture, our educational system and the socio-political environment,” Makinde said.
He also called for a return to the principles of federalism and multiparty democracy, which he described as essential to making Nigeria work for all citizens.
Makinde urged support groups to look beyond official economic figures and assess government performance against the realities Nigerians experience in their daily lives.
His remarks centred on the need for economic improvements to produce tangible benefits for households, particularly in the areas of affordability, financial security and access to opportunities.
