Regional groups, political parties, and politicians have expressed differing views over President Bola Tinubu’s New Year message, which outlined his economic plans for 2025, including promises to lower food and drug prices and reduce inflation to 15 percent from its current rate of 36.4 percent.
The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) supported the President’s speech, calling it a message of renewed hope. YCE Secretary, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, praised the steps taken by the President to create a better future for Nigerians, emphasizing that if pursued properly, these measures could lead to the nation’s revival.
However, other groups, such as the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), expressed concerns about the lack of focus on the region’s critical issues, including the devastation of the Niger Delta ecosystem caused by oil companies and the insecurity affecting farmers. PANDEF argued that without addressing these underlying problems, lowering food prices would not effectively address the region’s challenges.
Similarly, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) acknowledged the President’s recognition of Nigerians’ suffering but questioned the feasibility of the promised economic improvements, particularly in light of the nation’s ongoing corruption and governance issues.
Afenifere, a prominent Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, criticized the President’s message, citing misconceptions in the administration’s policies, such as the removal of subsidies and the devaluation of the naira, which they argue have worsened inflation. They called for the government to adopt more people-oriented economic policies.
The opposition New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) expressed cautious optimism about the President’s message, while urging the government to take concrete actions to fulfill its promises. In contrast, members of the ruling party, such as the Ondo APC’s Steve Otaloro and Teslim Folarin, supported the President’s ambitious goals, emphasizing the importance of addressing the rising cost of food and drugs.
Public analyst Lanre Ogunsuyi and environmentalist Alagoa Morris also raised concerns about the practicality of the President’s proposals, particularly in regard to stabilizing food and drug prices given the nation’s reliance on imports and unstable exchange rates.