Adewole Adebayo has launched a sharp criticism of President Bola Tinubu, saying the Nigerian leader would have ended up “a beggar” if he had governed the country five decades ago.
Adebayo made the remark during an interview on Trust TV on Wednesday while discussing the economic hardship many Nigerians have experienced since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
The former Social Democratic Party presidential candidate argued that past Nigerian leaders invested more in building systems that created opportunities for ordinary citizens, unlike what he described as the current style of governance.
“Many of the people you see at the National Assembly today, if it’s not because of the government of their time, they would have been at the farm or following cattle,” Adebayo said.
He went further to suggest that several prominent political figures rose through opportunities created by earlier administrations and public institutions.
“I am telling you today, if Tinubu was in government 50 years ago, he himself will be a beggar right now,” he stated.
Adebayo referenced former Northern Premier, Ahmadu Bello, while arguing that government investments in education and public service helped shape the lives of many influential Nigerians.
“If there was no Ahmadu Bello, late President Muhammadu Buhari would not have joined the army. He would be following cattle. Ibrahim Babangida would have been a school teacher somewhere if at all,” he added.
The SDP chieftain said governments should focus on creating opportunities that lift citizens rather than allowing widespread poverty and exclusion to persist.
According to him, Nigeria possesses enormous wealth and resources that could transform the lives of millions if properly managed.
“It’s like sitting on top of gold mines that you only need to dig four feet and you will reach gold worth trillions of naira, and you cover it with dirt,” Adebayo said.
His comments come amid growing public debate over inflation, rising living costs and economic reforms introduced under the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal and currency policy changes.
The presidency has repeatedly defended its policies, insisting that current economic reforms are necessary for long-term stability and growth despite the short-term hardship faced by citizens.
