Tinubu Took Over Comatose Economy; Nigeria Was About To Be Buried, Claims Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited a dead economy and prevented Nigeria from being completely buried through bold and courageous reforms.
Wike said this on Friday when he featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today where he dismissed claims that the Tinubu government damaged the country’s economy.Tinubu administration.
According to him, the economy was in total shambles before Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, and the country was on the verge of collapse.
“Let nobody deceive you, President Tinubu inherited a dead economy. Nigeria was at the brink of total collapse, it was already at the graveside about to be buried. But the President stepped in and took hard decisions others before him were too afraid to take,” Wike said.
He commended Tinubu’s immediate removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, describing them as necessary steps that signaled the president’s readiness to revive the economy. Wike said previous administrations had failed to act despite knowing the damage being done to national finances.
“Everyone knew the fuel subsidy was unsustainable, but no one had the political will to remove it. Tinubu showed courage. On his first day, he ended it. That is leadership,” Wike stated.
He acknowledged the pain and hardship many Nigerians are currently facing but insisted that the reforms were essential for the country’s long-term survival. According to him, the current suffering is a result of years of mismanagement that Tinubu is now trying to correct.
“Yes, things are tough, and we understand the suffering. But Nigerians must realize that these sacrifices are necessary. The damage didn’t start today, and recovery will take time. We must be patient and support the process,” he said.
Wike also criticised members of the opposition for allegedly using the hardship as a political weapon, accusing them of hypocrisy and offering no credible alternatives. He called on all Nigerians to rally behind Tinubu’s administration in rebuilding the economy.
His comments come amid growing debates over the state of the economy and public backlash against the cost-of-living crisis triggered by subsidy removal and naira devaluation. While the government claims the reforms have stabilized public finances and improved revenue, inflation and food prices continue to soar, sparking discontent among citizens.
Wike maintained that President Tinubu is committed to restoring Nigeria’s economy and urged political leaders across party lines to put national interest above personal ambition.
