Tinubu’s cost-cutting called “superficial” by former APC spokesperson

In a sharp critique of President Bola Tinubu’s recent cost-cutting initiatives, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has described these measures as insincere and superficial. In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank dismissed the austerity moves, labelling them “window dressing” intended to deceive Nigerians rather than bring real fiscal discipline.

Frank pointed out that while other African nations, such as Rwanda and Tanzania, have shown genuine commitment to reducing government expenditures, Nigeria appears to be moving in the opposite direction. He cited examples of austerity claims by the president, including a January 2024 directive to reduce the presidential entourage by 60 per cent for foreign trips, applying similar limits to the delegations of the Vice President and their spouses. However, Frank lamented that these claims ring hollow, as the frequency of these foreign trips, along with the entourage size, has actually increased.

Frank, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, pointed out that limiting ministers to three official vehicles and trimming their security personnel are merely superficial gestures that fail to tackle the bloated costs of governance in Nigeria.

“President Tinubu’s recent cost-cutting measures, including limiting ministers to three official vehicles and reducing their security personnel, is superficial than substantive reforms,” he said. “While these directives may suggest a commitment to fiscal responsibility, they fail to address the underlying issues of Nigeria’s bloated bureaucracy and excessive governance costs.

He further criticised the President’s disregard for meaningful reform, such as his shelving of the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye Report, which proposed merging some government agencies to streamline governance. Instead, Frank said, Tinubu is expanding government functions, evidenced by the creation of new ministries, including the Ministry of Livestock and Regional Development.

“Notwithstanding that his plan to merge agencies in line with the Steve Oronsaye Report, has been jettisoned, he has equally encouraged the National Assembly to approve the establishments of zonal development commissions out of which he has assented to the North West and South East zonal intervention agencies’ bills.

Frank also raised concerns over a recent initiative by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to build houses for judicial officers. He alleged that this move could serve to influence the judiciary, raising ethical concerns over current and future judicial decisions, including election petitions. The purchase of a new presidential jet, a planned N5 billion yacht, and the approval of a 300 per cent salary increase for judicial officers were further highlighted by Frank as examples of lavish spending that contrasts sharply with the government’s austerity rhetoric.

Timi Frank urged President Tinubu to adhere strictly to his policy of reduced entourages on official trips and questioned the impact of restricting ministers’ vehicle convoys on the nation’s fiscal landscape.

Calling for more substantive reforms, he suggested a 50 per cent salary reduction for all officials across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches as a step towards real cost-cutting.