Lagos State Labour Party’s 2023 Governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has slammed the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, claiming they have pushed Nigerians into dire straits.President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour accused the government of prioritizing the interests of elites while ordinary citizens bear the brunt of these policies.

Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu has implemented major economic measures, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floatation of the naira, initiatives meant to stabilize the economy but widely criticized for their impact on the populace.

“The people are experiencing unprecedented hardship,” Rhodes-Vivour said. “Today, over 70 percent of people’s income is spent on transportation and food. They haven’t even started considering how they can afford accommodation.”

He alleged that the primary beneficiaries of these reforms are the President’s close allies, bankers, and government officials, asserting that the government’s wasteful and extravagant tendencies are in stark contrast to the hardships faced by most Nigerians.

“How many Nigerians can honestly say they are benefitting from any reform right now?” he questioned, adding that the administration’s rhetoric of economic urgency is undermined by its actions.

The Labour Party candidate’s criticism adds to the growing discontent among citizens and opposition voices, who argue that the reforms have disproportionately affected low and middle-income Nigerians while sparing the elite.

As debates on the effectiveness of Tinubu’s policies intensify, many are left questioning whether the promised long-term economic benefits will outweigh the current challenges faced by millions across the country.