Tinubu lacks capacity to address Nigeria’s economic challenges – Ex governor, Suswam

• He disclosed that all the policies implemented by Tinubu so far showed that his government lacked a coherent plan and actionable solutions to the nation’s challenges

Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, says the government of President Bola Tinubu does not have what it takes to pull the country out of the economic doldrums it is stuck in.

Suswam, who represents Benue North-East Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly, said the brazen mismanagement of the Nigeria’s economy by former president, Muhammadu Buhari, heralded the hardship and economic crisis the citizens are facing today.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Suswam said the Tinubu government cannot clear the economic mess created by Buhari whom Suswam said destroyed the vibrant foundation laid by the Peoples Democratic Party.

He said, “Well, it’s rather unfortunate right from the Buhari Government where the mantra of ‘Change’ was the singsong. Unfortunately, people didn’t ask what kind of change he was bringing into governance. Is it positive change or negative change?

“What we experienced under those eight years were what dovetailed into what we’re experiencing today because whatever foundation that was built by the PDP was completely destroyed by that (Buhari) government.

“We now began a journey to the abyss. The state of the nation, economically, is nothing to talk about, it’s unfortunate that the current (Tinubu) leadership does not have what it takes to change the economic fortunes of this country”

He disclosed that all the policies implemented by Tinubu so far showed that his government lacked a coherent plan and actionable solutions to the nation’s challenges.

“All the economic policies that they’ve engaged in or they have taken clearly indicate that they can’t solve the economic problems of this country. I give you some example, you remove subsidy from day one, you now float your currency, increase interest rate.

“Now the tariff for electricity has been increased. How does an average man survive under those kinds of heavy bad economic policies? First, subsidy itself is a problem, it affects the cost of transportation, cost of production, because you’re dealing with energy, now that has been removed.

“So, the person who is selling foodstuff who now was transporting maybe from inside Abuja at the cost of N5,000 now has to transport that at the cost of N15,000. Where do you think the cost will end? To the consumer. So, inflation in this country is at 31 per cent. It is unheard of!” he said