Budget Office Defends Tinubu Against Obi's Criticism

The Budget Office, under the direction of Tanimu Yakubu, addressed criticisms made by Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's foreign engagements. Yakubu described Obi's remarks as populist and overly simplistic, arguing that they do not reflect the complex economic realities facing Nigeria.

He emphasized that Obi's comments failed to appreciate the depth of the economic challenges inherited by the current administration, including issues such as unsustainable fuel subsidy regimes, multiple exchange rates, and mounting debt service pressures. Yakubu defended the necessity of foreign engagements as strategic efforts to restore Nigeria's sovereign credibility and attract long-term investments.

He noted that the benefits of international engagements are not always immediate but are essential for gradual economic stabilization. Yakubu concluded by stating that the current administration is focused on implementing necessary reforms to stabilize the economy, rather than adhering to idealistic sequences.