Dino Melaye, the former Senator for Kogi West, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, labeling it as one of the most irresponsible governments Nigeria has ever seen. He accused the current leadership of mismanagement, poor strategic planning, and exacerbating the economic struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking on Monday evening during an interview on Arise News Prime Time, Melaye expressed deep concern over the government’s spending choices amid rising food insecurity and economic challenges.
He pointed out that President Tinubu has failed to honor his campaign pledge to eliminate wasteful expenditure, instead engaging in lavish spending since taking office.
“This administration ranks among the most reckless in our nation’s history. The president, who promised to reduce waste, ended up purchasing a luxury yacht. That yacht has yet to enter Nigerian waters; it remains docked somewhere between Monaco and Paris. Why acquire such an extravagant asset during a period marked by austerity and widespread hunger?” Melaye questioned.
Further, the ex-lawmaker alleged that the president acquired a new presidential jet worth billions of naira shortly after assuming office, contradicting official statements that the aircraft was a gift.
“I can confirm it was bought. A gift? Gifts must be declared, including the donor’s identity. They labeled it a gift because the National Assembly did not approve funds for the purchase,” he explained.
Melaye also criticized President Tinubu’s choice of official vehicle, noting that he abandoned the traditional Mercedes Benz S-Class, favored by past presidents since the First Republic, in favor of a more opulent, bulletproof Mercedes model-the same type reportedly used by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Regarding the National Assembly’s budget, Melaye accused the president of inflating the allocation for federal lawmakers as a means to exert greater control and ensure their compliance.
“During the Eighth Senate, the National Assembly’s budget was ₦150 billion. Now, the president has increased it to over ₦370 billion, effectively turning the legislature into an extension of the presidency,” he claimed.
Having contested the 2023 Kogi State governorship election under the PDP, Melaye also condemned Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy on his inauguration day, calling it a “grave mistake.”
“It was the right decision executed in the wrong manner. It’s like a surgeon who successfully completes an operation, but the patient dies afterward. There was no preparation, no safety nets, no mitigating strategies,” Melaye argued.
He insisted that the subsidy removal plunged millions of Nigerians into deeper poverty due to the lack of consultation and readiness.
“The president didn’t even take time to receive briefings from subsidy experts upon assuming office. Today, Nigerians are not just dissatisfied; hunger is widespread. Speaking as someone connected to the grassroots, I can attest to this,” Melaye emphasized.
Responding to the presidency’s claims of economic improvement, Melaye dismissed the official data, highlighting the administration’s ongoing borrowing spree.
“If the statistics were accurate, why is the government borrowing $1.7 billion from the World Bank? It’s misleading to say borrowing has stopped. The Senate has already approved $21 billion, with more loans pending,” he stated.
In conclusion, Melaye warned that Nigeria’s current trajectory is precarious, urging immediate policy corrections to prevent further deterioration of poverty and hunger under the present administration.
