Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is uncertain about the specific allegations leveled against former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele. Akpabio, who previously served as the Minister of Niger Delta, attributed the prevalent hunger across Nigeria to the economic policies implemented during Emefiele’s tenure at the helm of the central bank.
He conveyed these thoughts during a church event, footage of which was shared by Channels Television on its X platform on Sunday. The ex-governor of Akwa Ibom urged the nation to remain patient amidst the severe economic difficulties they are facing.
Highlighting the gravity of the economic challenges encountered by their administration, Akpabio drew parallels with a statement by President Obama about the complexities of governance, emphasizing the dire state of Nigeria’s economy upon their assumption of office.
“The situation with the former Central Bank governor is perplexing, as we are yet to determine the exact charges against him. However, it’s clear that the current state of hunger is a direct result of the policies and decisions made under his leadership. Acknowledging the widespread hunger, our administration is committed to improving Nigerians’ livelihoods, ensuring food security and safety,” Akpabio stated.
He further reassured Nigerians of the government’s dedication to addressing these issues, stressing the importance of patience and underscoring that the administration aims to rectify decades-long problems within a reasonable timeframe.
Additionally, the socio-political organization Afenifere has pointed fingers at the economic strategies initiated during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s term for the nation’s current economic distress. Specifically, Afenifere criticized the abrupt discontinuation of fuel subsidies following President Tinubu’s inauguration, a decision influenced by the lack of budgetary allocations for subsidies in Buhari’s final budget.
In a statement by its publicity and organizing secretaries, Afenifere criticized the previous government for the financial predicaments now facing the country. The group called on state governors, who are now receiving significantly increased allocations due to subsidy removal and currency adjustments, to focus on delivering security and welfare to their constituents without shifting blame to the federal government.