Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State has lamented the tough economic conditions in Nigeria, saying many Nigerians are suffering and are not happy with President Bola Tinubu.
Fayemi criticised President Tinubu during a public function where Adeoye Aribasoye, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and Tope Longe, a lawmaker were present.
According to Fayemi, Tinubu’s administration has brought untold hardship on many Nigerians, who he said will find it difficult to support the government in the 2027 general election.
Fayemi, speaking in Yoruba in a viral video lamented the level of hunger and financial hardship in Nigeria.
He also spoke about the deteriorating infrastructure in the country and what he described as federal neglect of key development efforts.
“Except we are deceiving ourselves, Nigerians are not happy with the Federal Government because of hunger and lack of money,” he said.
Fayemi also talked about the poor condition of federal roads in Ekiti State, emphasising on the route from Efon Alaaye through Erio and from Omuo-Ekiti through Ilasa to Ayedun-Ekiti, noting the ordeal faced by commuters.
The former governor also criticised the Federal Government for refusing to refund the N18–20 billion spent by his administration on the Ado-Iyin road project.
According to him, the funds could have been reinvested into other road projects if reimbursed by the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government said they didn’t send us to do the road, so no refund was made,” he added.
“If they had refunded the money, wouldn’t the governor have used it to do phase two of the road?”
Fayemi acknowledged the necessity of reforms like fuel subsidy removal by President Tinubu on the assumption of office on May 29, 2023.
He, however, criticised the “precipitate” implementation without adequate cushioning measures for citizens facing rising living costs and inflation.
He also pointed out alarming delays in releasing funds to federal ministries and agencies, stressing that good intentions alone are insufficient for effective governance.
