Chris Nwaokobia Jnr., convener of the CountryFirst movement, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent media chat, describing it as reflective of “messianic arrogance.” Speaking on News Central’s Breakfast Central, Nwaokobia Jnr. urged the president to acknowledge the harsh realities faced by Nigerians and align his policies with their struggles.
Referencing the severe economic challenges of 2024, including widespread poverty and deadly food stampede, he said: “I saw Mr. President at the media chat and I think that there was a certain kind of messianic arrogance that he put before the people. He’s called himself excellent and in the face of harrowing poverty, harrowing despondency, harrowing want and the face of stampedes for food, hunger born stampedes and the face of Nigerians not knowing what the true value of their currency is.
“As you and I talk, we have about the most devalued currency in Africa.As you and I talk, we have about the least minimum wage in Africa. As you and I talk, I don’t understand where and I think that it’s about the minders of presidency and those who are around him.”
Nwaokobia Jnr. pointed out Nigeria’s devalued currency and low minimum wage, which he claimed were among the worst in Africa. He further criticised the president’s removal of fuel subsidies, asserting: “Energy, petroleum are fundamental components of national life. Even in America, there’s subsidy for these fundamental issues, including food [and] agriculture.”
He attributed part of the problem to insincere advisors, who, according to him, have painted Tinubu as “the all-knowing King Solomon” and “Plato’s man of gold.” He added: “This is the point at which our president should come humbly to Nigerians and to tell Nigerians that he’s doing his best. He will tinker with the policies. You don’t tell me that your removal of subsidies cast an eye on all over the world.”
Nwaokobia Jnr. urged Tinubu to surround himself with advisors willing to tell him the truth, warning that favorable statistics are meaningless if they do not improve the lives of ordinary citizens. “The truth is that no matter the statistics that you have, if it does not affect food on the table, you are perhaps in search of Godot,” he concluded.
Watch the full interview below.
