The National President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, Ambali Olatunji, strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policy, asserting that it is causing hardship for the general population.
Speaking at the opening session of a two-day National Youth Conference organized by the union in Benin City, Edo State, Olatunji also expressed disapproval of Tinubu’s administration for maintaining an excessively large cabinet consisting of numerous ministers and a substantial entourage of aides.
Highlighting the need for Tinubu to grasp the challenges faced by ordinary citizens, Olatunji emphasized that having 45 ministers and a multitude of aides imposes a substantial burden on an already fragile economy.
Furthermore, Olatunji condemned the removal of fuel subsidies without a corresponding plan for mitigation. He asserted that the current economic policies of the government are disproportionately affecting the poor and vulnerable segments of society.
He said, “We should be talking of cutting down on the cost of governance at a time like this rather than doing things that exacerbate the already bad situation. About 26 ministers and a few aides would have sufficed considering what the country is currently undergoing.
“The president also hurriedly removed the fuel subsidy without the fuel subsidy without putting in place measures to cushion the effect and that is why we are at this abysmal level. Hopefully, he will retrace his steps and the country can move in the right direction.
“You cannot say Nigerians should adjust their standard of living while you live an extravagant life. Nigerians are going through harrowing experiences. People are frustrated but we should not lose hope,” he added.
While thanking the Edo State Government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki for creating an enabling environment in the state, Olatunji also urged the Federal and state governments to grant financial autonomy to local government and
The Edo State chairman of NULGE, Comrade Lazarus Adorolo, said the conference was to prepare the workers ahead of retirement, adding the skills learned during the conference would be of immense help to them post-retirement.
The highlight of the two-day conference is the formal commissioning of the Edo state NULGE House.
