Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari for the economic damage incurred during his eight-year tenure. Omokri highlighted that by the end of Buhari’s presidency in May 2023, Nigeria’s debt had nearly doubled, reaching 35% of the Gross Domestic Product, while inflation stood at 22.4%.
Addressing the ongoing economic challenges, Omokri attributed the situation to Buhari’s governance, describing it as a “criminal enterprise.” He accused Buhari of mismanaging oil sales and accumulating substantial debt, resulting in a high debt service to revenue ratio and reliance on foreign reserves to guarantee loans and purchases.
Omokri contended that President Bola Tinubu is now endeavoring to rectify the economic repercussions left by Buhari’s administration, which have worsened due to the removal of fuel subsidy and volatile exchange rates. He emphasized that some opposition members were politicizing the issue following their defeat in the 2023 election, prioritizing their interests over national well-being.
Omokri’s assertions underscore the complex economic challenges facing Nigeria and the contentious political landscape shaping efforts to address them.