Former Governor of Jigawa State, Lamido, has dismissed the notion that President Bola Tinubu is the builder of modern Lagos State, criticizing his federal government for its inability to effectively manage the country’s resources.
Tinubu, who served as the governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, is often credited by his supporters for laying the foundation for a modern Lagos. However, Lamido, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), disagrees. He argues that Lagos, as the former capital of Nigeria, already enjoyed significant federal government presence and investment before Tinubu’s tenure.
“I know him well, and I know what he can do and what he cannot do,” Lamido said on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “He never built Lagos. Lagos was built with Nigerian money—the port, the airport, the bridges. So, when you say Tinubu built Lagos, he never built Lagos.”
Lamido’s criticism extends beyond Tinubu’s legacy in Lagos. He has been vocal about the current federal government’s performance under Tinubu’s presidency, which has introduced several reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira. These measures have led to a significant increase in the cost of living and inflation, with the inflation rate soaring to 33.6% in April 2024.
The former governor believes that the government is making mistakes and that its policies are not yielding the desired results. He argues that if the government can manage resources prudently, it can easily pay a new minimum wage demanded by organized labor.
“There is money in Nigeria. If they do it [Lagos-Calabar coastal road project], they can pay any minimum wage,” Lamido insisted.
Lamido’s comments reflect the growing discontent among Nigerians regarding the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy and its policies. His criticism highlights the need for effective governance and prudent management of resources to address the country’s economic challenges.
