The Kano State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Comrade Aminu Gwarzo, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what he described as worsening insecurity and economic hardship across Nigeria.
Gwarzo made his position known during a meeting with leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Kano, where he argued that Nigerians across regions were experiencing the consequences of what he called poor governance and the alleged misuse of political power by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, insecurity has continued to affect communities in different parts of the country, with kidnapping and banditry remaining persistent threats to lives and livelihoods.
“There is insecurity all over the land. People cannot sleep with both eyes closed. Kidnapping and banditry pervade the North and the South unabated,” Gwarzo said.
He also pointed to the rising cost of living, particularly the prices of food, fuel and transportation, as evidence of the economic pressure facing households and businesses.
Addressing the traders and community leaders, the NDC candidate said they were in a position to understand the impact of the economic situation because of their daily dealings with consumers and markets.
“As traders, you are living witnesses to the hardship Nigerians are facing,” he said.
“There is no excuse for any leader to allow Nigerians to wallow in abject poverty. We know how much we pay for a litre of petrol. We know how much we pay for transport.”
Using the price of food as an example, Gwarzo said the rising cost of basic commodities had made everyday life increasingly difficult for ordinary Nigerians.
“If you go to Onitsha today and want to buy a single tomato, you will not believe how much you will pay for it,” he stated.
The Kano governorship hopeful also accused the APC-led government of failing to adequately implement the national budget over the past two years, arguing that ineffective budget execution could hinder economic growth and development.
“How can the economy move without budget implementation?” he asked.
Gwarzo further criticised members of the National Assembly for what he described as their failure to sufficiently hold the executive accountable.
“The criminal silence of members of the National Assembly, who are supposed to impeach the President, is what baffles us,” he said.
He maintained that the combination of insecurity, poverty and economic difficulties had created widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration.
“Nigerians are determined to remove the current government because of the suffering and difficulties in the land,” Gwarzo said.
The NDC candidate also expressed support for the emerging political alliance involving former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Gwarzo described the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket as a potentially important alternative to the ruling political establishment, arguing that both politicians have demonstrated what he called a commitment to principles and public service.
“Obi has found a political soul mate in Kwankwaso. They are the two giants who stand on principles and ideology of working for the people,” he added.
Gwarzo’s comments come as opposition political forces continue to position themselves ahead of Nigeria’s next general election, with economic hardship, insecurity and the performance of the Tinubu administration expected to remain major issues in the political debate.
