Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank,
has challenged the credibility of President Bola Tinubu’s cost-cutting measures, labeling them as ‘superficial and misleading.’
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Frank condemned the government’s approach to austerity, claiming it is more about appearances than genuine fiscal reform.
Unlike countries such as Rwanda and Tanzania, which have enacted effective cost-cutting measures, he argued that Nigeria has only issued directives while continuing with significant spending.
Frank pointed to Tinubu’s January 2024 order to reduce entourages for himself, the Vice President, and their spouses during international trips. The directive supposedly capped the President’s delegation at 20 people, and the Vice President’s at five. However, Frank alleged these limits have not been maintained, with large entourages accompanying recent trips by government officials, including the President, Vice President, and First Lady.
Serving as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, Frank stated, “The latest guidelines restricting ministers to three official vehicles and reducing their security detail are cosmetic measures that fail to address Nigeria’s deeper financial inefficiencies and bureaucratic waste.”
Frank also highlighted that Tinubu has backed away from earlier commitments to consolidate agencies as recommended in the Steve Oronsaye Report.
Instead, he pointed out that the administration has supported the creation of new zonal development commissions and ministries, such as the Ministry of Livestock and Regional Development, which he claims increase government expenditure rather than reduce it.
“Restrictions on ministerial vehicles and security details are not enough to counter the systemic waste that burdens Nigeria’s governance,” Frank continued.
“Meanwhile, this administration has authorized purchases like a new presidential jet, a significant salary hike for judicial officers, and the acquisition of a N5 billion presidential yacht.”
Expressing concern over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike’s plans to provide housing for judges, Frank suggested that these actions may compromise judicial independence in cases involving the administration.
Frank concluded by urging President Tinubu to uphold his austerity policies, suggesting that all government officials, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary, voluntarily reduce their salaries and allowances by 50% as a serious commitment to cost reduction.
He also advised Nigerians to brace for further challenges under the current administration and encouraged them to mobilize for a new government in the 2027 elections.