The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to seek assistance from former President Goodluck Jonathan to address the escalating economic crisis in Nigeria.
This plea follows recent demands from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Organised Private Sector for a reversal of the newly introduced fuel price regime which has been the catalyst for the current economic crisis in Nigeria.
Retail outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recently raised petrol prices to N1,030 per litre in Abuja, up from N897/litre, and N998 per litre in Lagos, up from N868/litre. Other regions have also seen a similar spike, fueling public outrage. This marks the second price hike in just one month, reflecting a 14.8% increase, or N133 more per litre.
In an interview with *Sunday PUNCH*, NNPP National Secretary, Dipo Olaoyoku, expressed disappointment over the government’s inability to address the nation’s economic challenges effectively.
“As far as Nigeria is concerned, nothing shocks us anymore. This administration has no tangible solution to our problems. When a government continuously looks for shortcuts during a crisis, it signals that Nigeria is on a long and difficult journey,” he said.
Olaoyoku criticized President Tinubu’s early decision to remove fuel subsidies without fully assessing its implications or identifying those benefitting from the subsidy. He also expressed concern about the floating of the naira in a nation heavily reliant on fuel imports, a policy that has exacerbated economic challenges.
“This government is lacking in ideas. Sadly, if you examine the people appointed into critical positions, you won’t find a single competent figure among them. After surviving the hardships under Buhari, look at where Nigeria has landed—it’s catastrophic. There’s no compassion for Nigerians,” Olaoyoku lamented.
The NNPP official further criticized Tinubu for prioritizing political allies over qualified technocrats in key positions. He suggested that the president should seek help from experienced political administrators like Jonathan, whose governance experience and economic management skills could ease the country’s economic woes.
“They should approach Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for advice. He successfully maintained the naira-to-dollar exchange rate at N200 before the APC took over. Let them swallow their pride and beg him for assistance,” Olaoyoku advised.
In response, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed Olaoyoku’s comments, labeling them as ill-informed. APC National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, described the NNPP’s suggestion as the words of an “armchair analyst” unaware of the complexities of Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“If the NNPP had a solution, it would have been in power. Nigerians have no confidence that the NNPP can solve the country’s problems. They are speaking from a position of opposition without fully understanding the depth of Nigeria’s challenges,” Ibrahim stated.
He further pointed out that the NNPP only governs one state, Kano, and that its governor is a member of the National Council of State. Ibrahim suggested that if the NNPP’s call for Jonathan’s involvement was sincere, their governor should raise the issue at the next Council of State meeting, where Jonathan would be present.
“Let their governor in Kano bring up this suggestion at the Council of State where Jonathan is seated. The Council addresses the nation’s issues periodically. If the NNPP’s suggestions are patriotic, they should table it there, rather than make impractical suggestions from the comfort of opposition,” Ibrahim concluded.
