A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Taraba State, Ibrahim Modibbo, on Wednesday, criticized President Bola Tinubu’s advisers and ministers, calling them incompetent and “newspaper tigers.”
Modibbo accused them of relying solely on textbook economics to address Nigeria’s economic challenges, rather than engaging with the people.
In an interview with Arise TV, Modibbo appealed to Nigerians to give Tinubu time, assuring them that the President will find solutions to the current economic hardship.
He also questioned the decision to purchase a new presidential jet without selling the old ones, citing sensitivity to the economic struggles of Nigerians.
Modibbo expressed confidence in Tinubu’s ability to turn the economy around, citing his past achievements.
However, he emphasized the need for new advisors and ministers who can provide effective solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“I’m a Nigerian and I also feel the pains just like Mr. President also feel the pains and the pulse of Nigerians.
“I don’t want to defend some of these conditions. I’m not here as a government spokesperson. Therefore as a caveat, I’m not going to defend that because to me it will show sensitivity and compassion. That is why I said people around Mr. President are giving him wrong advice.
“If I were a president today I would have sacked almost virtually all the ministers and what have you, to get new people, new advisors because some of this economic team, they are just mere newspaper tigers as far as I’m concerned.
“They can only limit themselves towards the textbooks econometrics without looking at the proper inventory of Nigeria’s economic system, looking at the poor masses as a ladder,” Modibbo said.
He added that President Tinubu made wrong decision in getting a new presidential jet without selling the old one in the fleet.
He, however, assured Nigerians that the President would find a solution to the current economic hardship caused by his administration’s policies.
“With all these problems, must we buy a new jet? If you ask me, I’ll say yes, and I’ll say no. Yes, because recently we’ve seen how some of the former presidents, Iran President had air crash.
“Therefore I would have sold some of the fleets and get a new one. No, in the sense that for us to be very sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigeria and 2027 is just by the corner, elections coming up, the way Nigerians today in terms of aggregation of opinion, in terms of sensitivity with the current economic temple, Nigerians are not finding it funny.
“But Tinubu has history by his side, he has two more or three more years to change the whole economy to the dynamics of governance.
“Therefore looking at every parameter of democratic practice, we know that there is no democracy that will be able to give you a hundred percent satisfaction.
“And this is where we are as painful as Mr. President’s decision to take some of these policies which he knows to his heart that is painful. I am sure he’s looking for a way out to see to the possibilities of maybe finding solutions,” Modibbo added.