Osogbo:A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to ensure their campaign promises are realistic.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Oyintiloye criticized the promises made by Atiku and Obi, particularly their pledge to restore fuel subsidy, as being impractical given Nigeria’s current economic situation. He highlighted that government operations have been adjusted to function without a fuel subsidy during the current administration.
Oyintiloye emphasized that suggesting a return to fuel subsidies is unfeasible and warned that such promises could lead to public unrest. He also questioned the feasibility of Donald Duke’s promise, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), to fix petrol prices at N300 per litre if elected.
Further, he pointed out that the removal of fuel subsidies and the implementation of foreign exchange reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration have led to significant fiscal changes, although they have also increased the financial burden on households and businesses.
Oyintiloye noted that state governments have benefited from increased allocations, allowing them greater financial freedom to undertake development projects and address various deficits. He encouraged opposition candidates to support the federal government’s economic strategies or propose viable alternatives instead of making unachievable promises.
He also urged state governors to use increased revenues to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Moreover, he called on the Federal Government to continue measures to alleviate economic pressures on vulnerable populations, control inflation, and enhance employment and purchasing power.
Finally, Oyintiloye expressed optimism that the Federal Government’s economic reforms would eventually result in positive outcomes for all Nigerians, urging citizens to evaluate these reforms objectively.