Veteran actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that the administration’s claims of progress do not reflect the realities facing ordinary Nigerians.
Okonkwo, who serves as the campaign spokesperson for African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, made the remarks in a statement posted on his official X account on Sunday.
He questioned the economic figures being presented by the Tinubu administration, describing them as misleading because, according to him, the reported macroeconomic improvements have not translated into better living conditions for citizens.
The criticism followed Tinubu’s recent assertion that his administration’s economic reforms were yielding positive results, citing findings from the World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update.
Okonkwo maintained that improvements in national economic indicators would have little meaning if Nigerians continued to struggle with the cost of living and other financial pressures.
Okonkwo Questions Impact of Tinubu’s Economic Policies
The ADC chieftain argued that the administration’s economic achievements had yet to produce meaningful benefits at the household level.
According to him, the gap between macroeconomic indicators and the everyday experiences of Nigerians raises questions about the effectiveness of the government’s policies.
“Notable citizens have maintained that the macroeconomic figures have not cascaded downwards to the microeconomic level. This simply means that all the grammar by the President on his achievements has not yet reflected positively in the lives of the citizens of Nigeria,” Okonkwo wrote.
He further alleged that the government’s economic policies were worsening hardship for ordinary citizens while benefiting wealthy and influential individuals.
The politician insisted that economic progress should be measured by improvements in citizens’ purchasing power, living standards and general welfare rather than headline economic figures alone.
Fuel Subsidy Debate Sparks Fresh Criticism
Okonkwo also questioned the administration’s reported moves towards restoring the petrol subsidy, arguing that such a step would indicate shortcomings in its existing economic strategy.
He described the prospect of a subsidy reversal as an admission that the government’s policies had failed to deliver the expected relief to Nigerians.
“Whatever may be the strategy of this government in attempting to restore fuel subsidy, one thing that is clear is that such attempt is an admission that its macroeconomic figures are bogus and is increasing hardship on the people rather than making their lives better,” he stated.
Okonkwo also accused the administration of manipulating economic indicators to create an impression of progress while ordinary Nigerians continued to experience hardship.
“Any macroeconomic index, which does not manifest in a positive microeconomic variable, is a manipulation of economic indices to scam the people through amassing illicit wealth for the rich and powerful class,” he added.
His comments add to the ongoing political debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, including petrol subsidy removal and foreign exchange market changes.
While the President has cited economic growth, rising external reserves and increased government revenues as signs of improvement, critics have continued to question how much of those gains have translated into relief for households.
Okonkwo’s remarks reflect the opposition’s broader criticism of the administration’s economic direction, particularly concerning the cost of living and the distribution of the benefits of economic growth.