Former Cross River State Governor and presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the removal of fuel subsidy has increased government revenues while worsening the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

Duke said the ongoing exchanges between the Tinubu administration and opposition parties showed that the President was unwilling to review or reverse what he described as key “anti-people policies” of his administration.

His comments come as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with economic policies and the impact of the Federal Government’s reforms emerging as major campaign issues.

Duke said the fuel subsidy regime that preceded the Tinubu administration had been replaced by what he described as a poorly managed alternative that generates more revenue for government while impoverishing citizens and weakening the economy.

“The fuel subsidy scam which had preceded the Tinubu administration has been replaced by the poorly-managed option which makes money for governments and impoverishes citizens and the economy,” Duke said.

He argued that the debate over subsidy removal should move beyond whether subsidies should exist and focus instead on designing economic policies that protect citizens while strengthening the productive capacity of the economy.

“The nation must move beyond debates and adopt well-informed and strategically-designed options so the current economic policies can both address growth and alleviate crushing levels of poverty,” he said.

Duke maintained that continuing with the current direction of the Federal Government’s economic policy would not deliver the broad-based growth needed to improve Nigerians’ welfare.

“The Nigerian economy will not benefit from continuation of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies,” he said.

The PRP candidate said his party would pursue a different approach to economic management if elected, with greater emphasis on productive assets, sound management and policies aimed at improving citizens’ livelihoods.

“Under the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), sources of the strength of our economy will be reinforced by imaginative scrutiny, enlightened policies and livelihoods of Nigerians as priorities,” Duke said.

He said Nigeria possessed abundant human and natural resources capable of driving sustainable economic development if properly managed.

Duke argued that government should move beyond revenue generation and ensure that economic reforms translate into tangible improvements in the living standards of citizens.

“Nigerians deserve an administration that will respond to good management and growth and development of our assets,” he said.

His comments add to the growing political debate over the economic consequences of the Tinubu administration’s reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy and the broader restructuring of the economy.