Ladipo Johnson, a prominent member of the Nigerian Democratic Congress and former spokesperson for the New Nigerian Peoples Party, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu following comments made during a discussion with Catholic bishops. Johnson labeled the President’s assertion that hunger predates his administration and that citizens should seek aid from churches as a regrettable low for presidential discourse.
Highlighting the Nigerian Constitution, Johnson noted that the state is legally mandated to prioritize the security and welfare of its citizens. He argued that offloading social responsibility onto religious institutions is a sign of policy failure, as these groups lack the tax revenue and administrative capacity to manage national economic stability.
Johnson further remarked that the President’s tone indicates a lack of accountability. He stated that leaders are elected to address systemic challenges rather than ignore them, and suggested that dismissing current hardship reflects a lack of vision. Ultimately, he urged the administration to move past dismissive language and implement concrete strategies to address the nationwide food crisis.