Former education minister, Oby Ezekwesili has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration as “financially reckless and profligate”.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, Ezekwesili stated that the administration has harmed the country’s economy.
She also stated that Nigerians should be “vexed” by the federal government’s “fiscal profligacy” given the country’s massive debt profile.
The former vice-president of the World Bank‘s Africa region stated that the administration should not be pitied for inheriting a weak economy because the majority of its supporters and active players supported former President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic policies.
Ezekwesili said:
“All the data and economic indicators show clearly that they have not done a good job of the economy.”
“They have worsened it. They could have avoided the fiscal recklessness and rascality that we see.
“If you are a Nigerian, you should be vexed at this government. All we have seen this government since it came into office is fiscal profligacy.
“The political class has decided that they are bandits against the people of Nigeria.”
The former minister claimed that politicians are playing with Nigerians’ intelligence by attempting to justify the acquisition of a presidential jet.
On Monday, the president announced the purchase of a new Airbus A330 to replace the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 purchased by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Ezekwesili added:
“I don’t see how it is feasible that the topmost priority of the government that has the level of biting hunger in the land and poverty, is to consider the purchase of a befitting aircraft for the president, construction of a N20 billion house for the vice-president, purchase of all kinds of funny looking cars in the fleet of national assembly members and executive.”
She claimed she has the “moral authority” to critique the present administration because she “served this country.” They want to know everything I earned. “They can find it in their folders.”
“As a minister, they have something called ministers’ imprest. My permanent secretary will tell you that I did not touch a dime.”
“So when people say ‘you were in government’. I was in a sane government. I wasn’t in a government that watches women scream: ‘We’re hungry, we haven’t eaten’.”