Nigerians Are Feeling Benefits Of Tinubu Reforms, Says Morka

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Nigerians are beginning to experience the benefits of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms despite the continuing cost-of-living pressures across the country.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the claim during an interview on TVC News’ Beyond the Headlines with Nifemi Oguntoye on Wednesday.

Morka rejected the opposition’s argument that Nigerians were yet to see meaningful benefits from the removal of fuel subsidy.

He pointed to increased federal allocations to states, regular payment of salaries and pensions, cash transfers and the expansion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure as evidence of the impact of the reforms.

Using Delta State as an example, Morka said the state’s monthly federal allocation had risen dramatically from about N12–16 billion before the Tinubu administration to about N101 billion in July.

He argued that the additional resources had strengthened the ability of states to meet their financial obligations.

“Are you telling me that those citizens are oblivious of the positive impact of this reform that is giving them their due at the end of every month without anyone owing them nine months salary?” he asked.

Morka also dismissed the argument that government’s cash transfers and other social interventions amounted to an admission that subsidy removal had created a new social problem.

He said the measures were designed to cushion vulnerable Nigerians while the economy adjusted to the reforms.

According to him, the government could remove an unsustainable economic structure while simultaneously supporting citizens affected by the transition.

He likened the process to renovating a house while keeping a room available for people to shelter in during the renovation.

Morka said the government’s CNG programme was another part of the strategy to reduce the cost of transportation and ease the pressure created by higher petrol prices.

He maintained that economic reforms required time before their full benefits could be felt at household level.

The APC spokesman accused the opposition of presenting subsidy as an easy solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges, arguing that the previous system had become too expensive for the country to sustain.