NUMBERS DON’T FEED PEOPLE, SOWORE SLAMS FG’S ECONOMIC REFORM METRICS

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the Federal Government’s economic reforms, arguing that rising government revenue and other macroeconomic indicators have not translated into improved living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
Sowore said the success of the administration’s economic policies should be measured by their impact on Nigerians’ standard of living, businesses, employment, education, security and wages.
He faulted the emphasis on increased revenue, tax collection and the tax-to-GDP ratio as evidence of economic progress, arguing that Nigerians are more concerned about whether they can afford basic necessities and whether businesses are surviving.
According to Sowore, the government should demonstrate the benefits of its reforms through tangible improvements such as new industries, jobs, schools, roads and other infrastructure.
He claimed that despite increased government revenue, many Nigerians continue to face rising living costs and declining purchasing power, while businesses struggle to survive.
Sowore also criticised the removal of the fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy has increased the economic burden on ordinary Nigerians.
He maintained that subsidies are not inherently bad economic policies, noting that governments around the world use them to protect vulnerable citizens and support strategic sectors.
The AAC candidate further alleged that wealthy individuals and businesses benefit from government waivers and other incentives, while ordinary Nigerians bear much of the immediate impact of subsidy removal.
He argued that the combination of subsidy removal and other economic policies had contributed to the depreciation of the naira and worsening living conditions.
Sowore called for economic policies that prioritise job creation, stronger businesses, meaningful wages, education, healthcare, security and social protection.
He maintained that economic reforms should ultimately be reflected in the lives and pockets of ordinary Nigerians rather than being measured solely by government statistics.
“Numbers don’t feed people,” Sowore argued, insisting that the government must show how increased revenue is being converted into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.