2027: Atiku, Obi should desist chaotic campaign promises – Oyintiloye

An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged presidential candidates of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, to desist from making promises capable of causing chaos in the country.

Oyintiloye, who spoke with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, said the campaign promises made by Atiku, Obi and other presidential candidates were unrealistic, given Nigeria’s current economic realities.

He said the promise by Atiku and Obi to restore fuel subsidies was unrealistic, as all organs and tiers of government in the country had already adjusted to life without fuel subsidies.

“It is practically impossible to think of returning Nigeria to the era of fuel subsidies. Alhaji Atiku and Mr Obi should be mindful of the implications of whatever promises they are making to get the attention of Nigerians.

“The presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, also promised to peg the pump price of petrol at ₦300 per litre if elected. How realistic is that?

“I appeal to the opposition candidates to be truthful to themselves and stop deceiving Nigerians. The majority of their promises are nothing but a recipe for public chaos,” Oyintiloye said.

The former Osun lawmaker noted that the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration had driven major fiscal adjustments, although they had also placed considerable pressure on households and businesses.

He said increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) had given state governments greater financial flexibility to meet their obligations, execute development projects and address infrastructure and social-service deficits.

He urged opposition candidates to support the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the economy or adopt alternative campaign strategies rather than make promises they would be unable to fulfil.

“Presently, salaries and wages are based on the government’s earnings after fuel subsidy removal. With the restoration of fuel subsidies that these candidates are promising, will wages and salaries also be reviewed downward? What will be the earnings of states following the restoration of fuel subsidies? What will become of several ongoing government projects awarded based on its current earnings? Nigerians are wiser,” Oyintiloye further said.

The APC chieftain, however, called on state governors to demonstrate accountability by translating increased revenue into better roads, improved healthcare, stronger food production, regular payment of salaries and pensions, and more employment opportunities.

According to him, “Citizens expect tangible improvements in their living conditions rather than increases in government revenue without visible benefits at the grassroots.”

He also urged the Federal Government to sustain efforts to ease the current economic burden on vulnerable households, curb inflationary pressures, expand employment opportunities and improve purchasing power.

He further urged Nigerians to assess the Federal Government’s economic reforms objectively, expressing optimism that they would eventually yield positive results for the benefit of all.