Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has accused the Tinubu administration of recycling failed International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed economic policies, warning that Nigerians must mobilise to demand the dividends of democracy.
In an interview, Falana criticised the government’s handling of the economy, saying successive regimes had deceived citizens with reforms that enriched only the political class.
“At all times, it is a boom for the ruling class but for the people it is doom. Nigerians must mobilise this time around to demand the dividends of democracy. You cannot improve the condition of members of the political class to the detriment of the national economy,” he said.
He recalled that since the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1986 under General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria had remained trapped in cycles of failed reforms “given new names to deceive the people.”
Falana described the current mix of naira devaluation, subsidy removal, and increased salaries for politicians as “provocative and reckless,” arguing that it deepens hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
He also questioned why the expired 2024 budget was still being implemented even as projects for 2025 had commenced.
On welfare, the senior lawyer noted that despite tripled statutory allocations following subsidy removal, critical laws such as the National Social Investment Programme Act, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, and the National Health Insurance Authority Act remain poorly funded.
“The removal of subsidies has tripled statutory allocations. Federal, state, and local governments must reflect that increase in social services,” he said.
Falana urged the government to stabilise the naira, curb illegal dollar transactions, and consider joining the BRICS bloc to reduce dependence on the US dollar.
On politics, he cautioned against premature campaigns for the 2027 elections, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce the Electoral Act.
“You cannot devalue the currency, dollarise the economy, remove subsidies, and then raise politicians’ pay. That is provocative. Nigerians must rise and demand what is rightfully theirs,” he declared.
