A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has urged President Bola Tinubu to revisit some of his policies to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
George, a former military governor of Ondo State, gave the advice while addressing a press conference on state of the nation in Lagos State on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
The PDP chieftain also enjoined Tinubu to unravel issues surrounding oil and gas as well as power sectors to get the country out of the woods.
He said: “Having been trained by this nation and worked for this country, if I see things not going the right direction and keep quiet, I will be failing. So, it is not a matter of fighting.
“Our country Nigeria is in a political and economic intensive care unit.
“So, we need proper surgeons – political surgeons and economic surgeons.
“We are talking about people who have gone through this before, who should be able to come to give us that freshness of breath to get out.
“We must put smiles on faces of Nigerians no matter where they reside.
“Well, some of us can manage, but what about the myriads of so many young Nigerians who cannot even have any meal.”
Bode George to Nigerians: Don’t blame Tinubu for Nigeria’s woes
Speaking on the oil and gas sector and issues around fuel subsidy, the elder statesman urged the president to speak the truth to Nigerians.
George added: “In the oil sector, we hear about fuel subsidy today, next day we hear there is no fuel subsidy.
“So, what exactly is the truth? We want to know. My perception of the handling of the oil sector of our country is very disappointing.”
On electricity, the PDP leader decried the high cost of power, saying the development had killed so many small businesses out of markets.
George, who expressed surprise that none of the 18 gas turbines bought by former President Olusegun Obasanjo had been fired, said regular and cost-effective power supply remained the backbone of the economy.
On the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria nationwide protest, George commended youths who went out peacefully to give feedback on the policies of the government.
He stated: “It is normal, especially in a democratic governance. The government is supposed to listen to those who voted for them.
“The Gen Zs are restless, and what is happening in the north is a reflection of the restlessness of the youth.
“They have been to university and graduated. Where is hope, where is job and where is food? They are bound to react.”
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