SDP Faults US Official's Remarks on Tinubu's Economic Performance, Urges Honest Assessment of Nigeria

 

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has cautioned against interpreting recent remarks by a United States Assistant Secretary of State as an endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, insisting that Nigeria's economic realities should be judged by the living conditions of its citizens rather than diplomatic goodwill.

In a statement issued by the party's South West Zonal Organising Secretary, Comrade Wale Balogun, the SDP said while it welcomed stronger bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States, diplomatic expressions of support should not overshadow the severe socio-economic challenges confronting millions of Nigerians.

The party was reacting to comments attributed to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Frank Garcia, which it said could be perceived as a broad endorsement of the Tinubu administration's economic and infrastructure policies.

According to the SDP, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), despite acknowledging improvements in some macroeconomic indicators, reported in its 2026 Article IV Consultation that about 63 per cent of Nigerians now live below the national poverty line, while approximately 27 million people face food insecurity. It also cited the World Bank's estimate that recent economic reforms have pushed an additional seven million Nigerians into poverty.

The party argued that although President Tinubu inherited significant structural economic challenges in May 2023, three years of reforms—including the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange-rate liberalisation, electricity tariff increases and multiple tax adjustments—have resulted in worsening living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

It listed persistent inflation, rising food prices, declining purchasing power, soaring transportation and energy costs, widespread closure of small and medium-scale businesses, increasing unemployment, worsening insecurity and deepening poverty as evidence that the reforms have imposed heavy social costs.

"The true measure of economic performance is the quality of life enjoyed by the people," the statement said, arguing that economic success should not be measured solely by exchange-rate stability, foreign reserves or investor confidence.

The SDP maintained that a successful government should be assessed by its ability to reduce poverty, create jobs, expand affordable housing, improve access to quality education and healthcare, guarantee food security and ensure the safety of lives and property.

The party also raised concerns over Nigeria's estimated housing deficit of more than 28 million units, high maternal and child mortality rates, and healthcare financing that remains heavily dependent on out-of-pocket payments by citizens.

It further criticised the increase in the cost of WAEC and NECO examinations from ₦27,000 to ₦50,000, arguing that the higher fees have placed secondary school certification beyond the reach of many low-income families and undermined access to education.

On security, the SDP said persistent banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, communal conflicts and other forms of violent crime have displaced farming communities, disrupted agricultural production, fuelled food inflation and discouraged investment.

The opposition party also questioned the Tinubu administration's infrastructure priorities, arguing that while the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway may hold long-term strategic value, greater emphasis should be placed on railway development, affordable housing, electricity infrastructure, irrigation, healthcare and education.

According to the statement, investments in rail transportation and mass housing would generate greater economic benefits by reducing logistics costs, creating employment and stimulating broader economic growth than what it described as prestige projects.

The SDP equally expressed concern over fiscal governance, citing increased reliance on supplementary budgets, budget rollovers and off-budget spending, which it said have weakened fiscal discipline, reduced transparency and complicated legislative oversight.

It called for predictable annual budgeting, disciplined implementation and stricter parliamentary scrutiny of public expenditure.

The party further warned that comments from foreign officials could be misconstrued as political endorsements ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that Nigeria's democratic future should remain solely in the hands of Nigerians.

It urged the United States and the wider international community to focus on supporting constitutional democracy, credible elections, judicial independence, transparency, accountability, respect for human rights and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

The SDP also called on the international community to remain vigilant against developments that could weaken democratic institutions, suppress opposition politics or shrink civic space.

Reaffirming its policy direction, the party said it remained committed to building a productive economy anchored on social justice, inclusive development, accountable governance, quality education, universal healthcare, affordable housing, railway development, food security, industrialisation and democratic accountability.

"The true measure of any government's success is not the commendation of foreign diplomats but the lived experience of its people," the statement concluded.