The Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has taken a sharp swipe at President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, insisting that ordinary Nigerians are worse off since Tinubu took office in 2023. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Adebayo argued that the administration has failed to tackle key issues like insecurity and economic hardship.
“No one’s life is better off except those inside government,” Adebayo said. “Even you asking the question knows your life hasn’t improved by any economic measure. I know my life isn’t better, and neither are my neighbors’.” He urged the conversation to move beyond a “them versus us” mindset, calling for agreement on three fundamental principles.
But Felix Morka, the All Progressives Congress spokesman who also appeared on the show, pushed back hard. He claimed Tinubu’s policies have brought real improvements, especially in the economy. “Nigerians have every reason to feel more hopeful,” Morka said. “The state of affairs in 2023 compared to today is like comparing night and day.” He pointed to the naira float, saying the previous numbers were “phantom” and distorted by fuel subsidies and forex arbitrage. Morka highlighted a jump in foreign reserves from $3 billion to nearly $50 billion, attracting global investment.
Adebayo wasn’t convinced. He reminded viewers that the APC has been in power since 2015, so it can’t blame others for the country’s problems. “The grim pictures Mr. Morka described from 2023 were written after eight years of APC rule,” he said.