A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, describing the removal of petrol subsidy as a “misadventure” and accusing the administration of worsening economic hardship.
Momodu, in a statement reacting to the President’s October 1, 2026 speech, said Tinubu’s address, which was expected to be celebratory, instead amounted to “a day of lamentation.”
Tinubu, in his Independence Day address, defended his administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that previous governments had relied on temporary relief rather than addressing the country’s underlying economic problems. The president likened Nigeria’s pre-2023 condition to a cancer patient treated with morphine instead of undergoing surgery.
But Momodu challenged the analogy, saying the President should have focused on stabilising the economy rather than worsening the conditions he inherited.
“My heart bled as you went into the morbid analogy of Nigeria as being a cancer patient that merely survived on painkillers before your arrival as a celebrated surgeon,” he said.
He added: “At the time you assumed power, Nigeria probably had stage two cancer, at the worst. You were expected to stabilize it and not to metastasize it into a stage four cancer.”
According to him, Tinubu’s first major policy decision after assuming office was taken without sufficient consideration of its consequences.
“You took no time to properly examine your patient. You were too much in a hurry to administer your jab, which automatically sent Nigeria into instant coma. And you’ve not been able to revive it,” he said.
Momodu criticised the removal of petrol subsidy, describing it as “a misadventure.”
“Sir, your fuel subsidy stunt was a misadventure. I expected an apology for the medical calamity,” he said.
Tinubu has, however, maintained that his reforms did not create Nigeria’s economic weaknesses but were designed to confront them. The President also ruled out a return to the petrol subsidy regime, warning against calls to reverse the reforms.
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Momodu further accused the administration of presiding over increased poverty and insecurity, rising debt and what he described as excessive government spending.
“So, Nigeria has made more money, amassed more loans, insecurity has increased, poverty has escalated, profligacy is palpable, politicians have remained insensitive, elections have taken priority over governance, renewed hope has collapsed into hopelessness and abject despair,” he said.
The ADC chieftain said Nigerians were increasingly losing confidence in the promises of the administration, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.
“Nigerians have mostly given up on your promises. I doubt they are able to endure and accept the endless excuses, barely three months to the next elections,” he said.
Momodu acknowledged that four years might not be sufficient to resolve all of Nigeria’s challenges but argued that citizens should by now be able to see clearer signs of progress.
“Four years may not be able to contain and solve all our problems, but the HOPE should be glaring by now,” he said.
Victor Ezeja is a Nigerian journalist skilled in producing insightful news analyses, feature stories, and interviews that simplify complex issues and drive informed public discourse. His work combines rigorous research, balanced reporting, and compelling storytelling to highlight developments shaping industries and society. Victor, who holds a Master's Degree in Mass Communication, specializes in energy, aviation, business, and economic reporting. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X