Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, has accused President Bola Tinubu of being disconnected from the suffering of Nigerians amid rising living costs and widespread hunger.
Shaibu made the allegation during an interview on ARISE News on Sunday, October 25, faulting the president for blaming the opposition for the country’s hunger crisis instead of taking responsibility for the economic situation under his administration.
“He has lost touch with reality. Bola is not aware of his environment. He is not aware of what Nigerians are going through. He’s not even aware that he’s president,” Shaibu said.
The ADC campaign official described Tinubu’s explanation of the hunger crisis as delusional, arguing that the president’s comments showed a lack of understanding of the difficulties confronting ordinary citizens.
“I watched him yesterday and my eight-year-old son who was beside me said, what’s this man talking about? He has been in office for three and a half years. And he’s talking about hunger being created by the opposition. I think it is delusional,” he said.
Shaibu urged Tinubu to assess the cost of living when he assumed office on May 29, 2023, against current prices, arguing that Nigerians should not be worse off under his leadership.
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He blamed the removal of petrol subsidy for contributing to the sharp increase in the prices of goods and services, saying the policy had made it increasingly difficult for many households to afford basic necessities.
“Bola Tinubu claimed the podium, and announced that subsidy was gone. And boom, what happened? Everything rose astronomically. The Nigerians cannot afford three square meals today,” he said.
Shaibu also expressed concern over the rising cost of university education, alleging that higher tuition fees had forced some students to abandon their studies despite the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
He questioned why Tinubu continued to blame the opposition for the country’s economic problems, noting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had governed Nigeria for eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari before the party handed over power in 2023.
The ADC campaign spokesman maintained that the president should take responsibility for the effects of his administration’s economic policies rather than shift the blame to political opponents.
Shaibu’s remarks add to the opposition’s criticism of the Tinubu administration over the cost of living and the impact of its economic reforms on Nigerian households.