Oby Ezekwesili, Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, has criticized President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the broader political class for what she perceives as a growing detachment from the harsh realities faced by everyday Nigerians.
She made her bold comments during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, in which she specifically called out the recent acquisition of a new presidential jet amid rising poverty and widespread hunger in the country.
Nigerians have voiced concerns over the government’s decision to purchase a new aircraft for Tinubu’s use, especially given the current economic challenges gripping the country.
The rising cost of living, unemployment, and food insecurity have left millions of Nigerians struggling to make ends meet, making the acquisition of such an expensive item by the government a source of significant controversy.
During her interview, Ezekwesili did not mince words, describing the actions of the country’s leadership as oppressive and out of touch. She likened the government and political elite to “bandits” who prioritize their own comfort over the well-being of the citizens they are supposed to serve.
In her words: “The executive, the presidency, the National Assembly, I think they have decided that they are the bandits.
“The political class has decided that they are bandits against Nigerians. Because I do not see how it is feasible that the priority of a government that has this level of biting hunger in the land, this level of poverty where people are dropping into poverty per minute will consider the purchase of aircraft for the president.
“The construction of N20 billion homes for the vice president; the purchase of all kinds of funny looking cars and the fleet of the National Assembly members and the executive, what exactly is that?”
