Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, has strongly condemned the recent purchase of mutlti-million dollars new presidential jet and yacht by President Bola Tinubu, especially given the widespread hunger and economic hardship faced by Nigerians who go to bed with empty stormach.
In an interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, Duke criticized Tinubu for what he perceives as a failure in leadership during a time when many Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet.
Duke expressed his discontent, stating, “There is no glamour in flaunting luxury while your people are suffering. It reflects a leadership failure. As a head of a family, I would ensure my family is well taken care of. If they are struggling, it signifies my failure to provide adequately for them.”
He urged Tinubu to view the Nigerian nation as his extended family, emphasizing that what benefits his immediate family should also be beneficial for the entire country. “Living extravagantly while your people are hungry is a clear failure,” Duke remarked. “You can’t indulge in luxury while your citizens are in distress.”
Duke linked the recent #EndBadGovernance protests to Tinubu’s perceived inadequacies, suggesting that the protests were akin to a demand from citizens for better governance and accountability. He urged Tinubu to reassess his policies, criticizing the floating of the Nigerian currency as a poorly thought-out move exacerbating the economic plight.
According to Duke, the real pressure on the naira comes from the importation of fuel, an issue compounded by corruption. He recommended that the President take decisive actions to address the economy through local solutions rather than relying on international frameworks, and also stressed the need for security agency accountability and judicial reforms.
Duke’s statements underscore a growing sentiment among critics who believe that current leadership is failing to address the fundamental needs of the Nigerian populace effectively.
