The Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) has accused President Bola Tinubu of making promises without taking action, pushing more Nigerians into deeper poverty. Speaking after Tinubu’s New Year address, CUPP National Secretary Peter Ameh pointed out how poorly executed government policies have harmed citizens.

Ameh described 2024 as a difficult year, blaming impulsive decisions by the administration. He criticized Tinubu’s claim of fighting corruption, pointing to Nigeria’s dismal ranking of 143rd out of 149 countries on the corruption perception index.

The President’s pledge to expand agricultural land for food production remains unfulfilled, leaving Nigerians grappling with soaring food prices. Ameh stated that poverty now affects 56% of the population—about 129 million people—who live below the poverty line.

He also highlighted the impact of removing fuel subsidies, which caused public transportation costs to skyrocket by 300%. While Tinubu’s speech mentioned a wealthy friend switching to a cheaper car, Ameh questioned if the government had considered the struggles of ordinary Nigerians who are unable to afford basic transportation.

Nigeria’s debt servicing costs have ballooned from ₦87 trillion to over ₦130 trillion under Tinubu’s leadership. Ameh criticized the administration’s plan to create a new company to fight inflation, calling it redundant when existing agencies can handle the issue.

He also questioned the need for a Ministry of Livestock Development when the Ministry of Agriculture could oversee similar responsibilities.

Ameh emphasized that food inflation, currently at 80%, could be reduced with the right actions. He urged the government to shift from talk to meaningful reforms that prioritize the needs of citizens.

This criticism reflects growing dissatisfaction with policies that fail to address the root causes of poverty and inflation in Nigeria. Many believe that without immediate changes, the nation’s economic struggles will continue to worsen.