Hon. Henry Shield has criticised Bola Tinubu’s government for impoverishing Nigerians through policies such as the removal of fuel subsidies while diverting funds to state governors during an appearance on The Volume Pod.
Shield questioned the rationale behind the subsidy removal, asking, “So you are telling me that the reason 200 million Nigerians are in pain is because you want to satisfy 36 people.”
He argued that the administration’s approach was inequitable, stating, “You tighten the belt on 200 million people to make 36, and you know the funny thing, those 36 people are unaccountable to anybody.”
Shield also highlighted the lack of oversight in the distribution of funds to states, saying, “It’s not like you are giving them the money and monitoring them and ensuring that the money goes to the people.”
He warned that citizens are being left to hold governors accountable for resources they themselves cannot control, adding, “You are giving them the money. You are not turning to the citizens you have impoverished with your class policy.”
READ MORE: Nigerian Politicians Have Conquered Citizens—Henry Shield Decries After Observing Anambra Election
The lawmaker called for national deliberation on fiscal management, questioning, “When are we, like some of us who are maybe enlightened and exposed, going to have a roundtable to decide what to do with this country?”
He described the current governance as unsustainable, emphasising, “The way this is currently going on is not how a country is run.”
The video clip posted by Ife Salako on X has sparked reactions from Nigerians, many of whom condemned the government for prioritising the interests of a few over the majority.
Yinka Daniel Elebute argued that much of the redistributed funds are being diverted to politically motivated projects, saying, “A large percentage of the money is for preparations of 2027 general elections. The remaining are diverted into projects that are unmonitored or unaccountable.”
Other commenters lamented the growing economic hardship, with Kenochi Kenttimo asserting, “Tinubu has impoverished Nigerians; I totally agree,” while Mike Ade sarcastically remarked, “Stop badmouthing our caring government! Are the 200 million Nigerians complaining? Justice for the 36 people!”
Observers also raised concerns about transparency and accountability, highlighting that citizens are being taxed heavily while state officials allegedly benefit from unmonitored allocations.
The discussion underscores growing discontent among Nigerians who see the current policies as disproportionately favouring a few political elites while worsening the hardship of the wider population.
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