Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress, has challenged the federal government to abandon its reliance on positive macroeconomic data to validate its ongoing reforms. During a recent appearance on Arise Television, he argued that statistics such as increased government revenue or tax-to-GDP ratios mean little if they do not lead to a tangible rise in the quality of life for the average citizen.
Sowore emphasized that a government’s success should be measured by its ability to generate employment, support private enterprise, and provide essential services like education and healthcare. He criticized officials for attempting to manipulate public perception with numbers while millions of Nigerians continue to suffer from multidimensional poverty and soaring costs of living.
The politician specifically targeted the removal of fuel subsidies, contending that the policy has exacerbated financial hardship for the populace without providing the promised benefits. He suggested that subsidies are common tools used by governments worldwide to protect vulnerable populations, noting that current policies unfairly burden the poor while elites continue to benefit from various state waivers and incentives.
Furthermore, Sowore linked the removal of the subsidy to the devaluation of the naira and the general decline of the national economy. He urged the government to move beyond propaganda and optics, calling instead for a fundamental shift toward policies that prioritize the needs of the majority. He concluded that genuine economic reform must result in measurable improvements in citizens’ daily lives, suggesting that a new approach is necessary to prevent continued hunger and economic instability.
