Former Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, has called out the Tinubu administration for failing to effectively communicate its programmes and policies to Nigerians.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Thursday, monitored by The News Chronicle, Aliyu said better engagement with the public could ease growing discontent and confusion across the country.
“The government needs to do more in telling Nigerians what they are doing. People are in the dark,” Aliyu stated.
He also took a swipe at state governors, urging them to take full responsibility at the subnational level, arguing that doing so would significantly reduce the burden on the Federal Government.
He was particularly critical of northern appointees in key ministries, accusing them of neglecting their constituents. “Most of these ministries are headed by northerners, but many only return home when it’s election time,” he said.
On the economy, he acknowledged that inflation is crippling state revenues but insisted governors must rise to the challenge and meet the basic needs of their people.
Aliyu, a staunch PDP member, also weighed in on the rising trend of political defections, lamenting that party loyalty has been sacrificed at the altar of personal ambition.
He underscored the need for political parties driven by ideology, not opportunism, and questioned the newly-formed ADC’s capacity to offer real change. “What is the ADC going to do differently from the government it wants to replace?” he asked.
In a parting shot, he urged Nigerians to exercise patience. “If we could endure Buhari for eight years, we can give this government a chance,” he said.
