Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that many Nigerians are suffering under current economic conditions and are unlikely to support the government in the next general election.

In a video obtained by the Guardian, Fayemi, speaking in Yoruba, lamented the level of hunger and financial hardship in the country, pointing to deteriorating infrastructure and what he described as federal neglect of key development efforts.

“Except we are deceiving ourselves, Nigerians are not happy with the Federal Government because of hunger and lack of money,” he said.

Highlighting the poor condition of federal roads in Ekiti, Fayemi referenced the route from Efon Alaaye through Erio, and from Omuo Ekiti through Ilasa to Ayedun Ekiti, noting the ordeal faced by commuters.

He also criticised the Federal Government’s refusal to refund the N18–20 billion spent by his administration on the Ado-Iyin road project, saying the funds could have been reinvested into other road projects if reimbursed.

“The Federal Government said they didn’t send us to do the road, so no refund was made,” he added. “If they had refunded the money, wouldn’t the governor have used it to do phase two of the road?”

Fayemi’s comments were made during a public function where the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, and lawmaker Tope Longe were present.

While acknowledging the necessity of reforms like fuel subsidy removal, he criticised their “precipitate” implementation without adequate cushioning measures for citizens facing rising living costs and inflation.

He also pointed out alarming delays in releasing funds to federal ministries and agencies, stressing that good intentions alone are insufficient for effective governance.