Amid growing complaints about economic hardship, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, George Agbakahi, has insisted that Nigerians are better off today than during the years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Agbakahi made this claim on Thursday, July 17, during an appearance on Arise Television’s news programme, where he praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for introducing reforms he described as people-oriented.
“Of course, Nigeria of today is a lot better than Nigeria of the PDP days. Yes, look at some of the initiatives that the current president has put in place,” he said.
He pointed to student loans and the expansion of free technical and vocational training as major improvements, adding, “During the PDP days, did you ever hear about student loan? Let’s be sincere. The President has put a lot of smiles on the faces of Nigerian parents.”
“In the history of Nigeria, apart from the student loan that is related to the tertiary institutions, vocational and technical institutions currently are free. People are going in there to learn carpentry, to learn welding. It’s free, free of charge,” he added.
Agbakahi also highlighted the promotion of compressed natural gas (CNG), the rollout of electric vehicles, and access to various government funding initiatives.
“Look at the CNG, Compressed Natural Gas. Look at the electric vehicles. Did we have this during the PDP? Yes, we didn’t have this during the PDP,” he said.
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When reminded that more Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty today, he blamed the pain on necessary reforms.
“Oh, come on. You know the reason for that is because of the extrication of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the exchange rate,” he said.
According to him, past presidents, including Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari, knew subsidy was unsustainable, but Tinubu had the courage to act.
“President Tinubu, came in and looked at it and found out that it was just the best way to go. He even said it would be tough but now it is easing up,” Agbakahi said.
He cited the Bank of Industry’s ₦200 billion and the ₦100 billion Youth Fund as ongoing initiatives helping small businesses and young people.
“There are no way you can compare the PDP days and this current administration. No no no, it’s not doable. You cannot do that,” he concluded.