2027: Tinubu’s Policies Under Fire as NDC Pushes Opposition Unity

2027: Tinubu’s Policies Under Fire as NDC Pushes Opposition Unity

 

The administration of President Bola Tinubu came under renewed criticism on Tuesday as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) accused the Federal Government of pursuing economic policies that have deepened hardship, while insisting that opposition parties can still unite to offer Nigerians a credible alternative in the 2027 general election.

Ladipo Johnson, an NDC chieftain and the party’s senatorial candidate for Lagos Central, made the assertions while appearing on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu.

Johnson rejected the description of the Tinubu administration as progressive, arguing that a genuinely progressive government should place greater emphasis on the welfare and purchasing power of citizens.

He questioned whether policies such as the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies, the floating of the naira and increased revenue generation had translated into better living conditions for Nigerians.

“Would you call President Tinubu’s administration a progressive administration?” Johnson asked, arguing that progressive governance should be “more welfaristic in nature.”

He also questioned the economic impact of the administration’s increase in the minimum wage, saying the nominal increase had been undermined by inflation and the declining value of the naira.

According to him, government policies should ultimately be judged by their outcomes rather than the number of initiatives announced.

“You can have a lot of initiatives, a lot of activities,” he said, stressing that “these policies are meant to achieve something. Don’t just do policy for the sake of policy.”

Johnson also faulted the simultaneous removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira, arguing that Nigerians were still struggling with the consequences.

He equally questioned the effectiveness of education financing without corresponding employment opportunities, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as an example. He argued that education policy should be linked to skills development and job creation.

On the political front, Johnson said opposition unity remained possible ahead of 2027 despite the absence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi from Monday’s National Opposition Summit in Abuja.

He said the absence of prominent opposition figures should not be interpreted as a rejection of the idea, stressing that political parties must first negotiate and establish an acceptable framework.

According to him, opposition parties do not necessarily have to merge but could agree to support a common presidential candidate while retaining their individual identities.

“It is not just about getting rid of President Bola Tinubu or the APC. For us, in the NDC… it is about presenting something better,” he said.

Johnson also expressed confidence that increased voter participation in 2027 could work against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that widespread dissatisfaction could drive Nigerians to the polls.

Meanwhile, he says his senatorial ambition is centred on providing what he ddescribes as a stronger voice for Lagos Central, which includes major commercial and economic centres such as Apapa, Lagos Island, parts of Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland and Surulere.

He identified his priorities as people, productivity, infrastructure, security, rule of law and governance.

Johnson said he would focus on legislation, oversight and using the “soft power” of the Senate to attract investment rather than promising projects outside the legislature’s constitutional responsibilities.

He also pledged quarterly town-hall meetings and a digital dashboard through which constituents could track bills, constituency projects and other legislative activities.

For Johnson, the 2027 contest will therefore be both a referendum on the Tinubu administration and an opportunity for the opposition to present Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative.