HURIWA slams Oyedele over Tinubu’s 2027 bid, urges FG to tackle economic hardship

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has faulted Minister of State for Finance Taiwo Oyedele over his remarks on President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects, insisting that the Federal Government should focus on easing the economic hardship confronting Nigerians.

The association accused Oyedele of giving undue attention to the President’s chances of securing a second term in 2027 while citizens continue to struggle with high petrol prices, rising food costs, expensive transportation and declining purchasing power.

Oyedele reportedly made the remarks during the 2026 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, where he discussed investors’ expectations regarding continuity in Nigeria’s economic policies.

The minister reportedly suggested that financial markets and international investors were factoring in the possibility of Tinubu winning another term, with concerns that a change in leadership could affect the continuation of ongoing economic reforms.

However, HURIWA argued that investor sentiment should not be confused with the decision of Nigerian voters, who will ultimately determine the country’s next president in the 2027 general election.

The group urged Oyedele to concentrate on explaining how the administration intends to reduce the cost of living, create employment, improve workers’ earnings and strengthen the purchasing power of households.

It also questioned the government’s continued reliance on borrowing despite reported improvements in revenue collection, calling for greater transparency regarding public debt, expenditure priorities and the projects financed through loans.

HURIWA cited concerns previously raised by economic commentator Dele Oye in a report published by The Guardian on May 25, 2026, regarding the growth of Nigeria’s public debt under the Tinubu administration.

The association warned that borrowing without clear and measurable improvements in citizens’ welfare could leave future generations with a heavy financial burden.

On petrol subsidy, HURIWA argued that government support for vulnerable households should not automatically be dismissed as incompatible with economic reforms. It maintained that properly designed and transparently administered interventions could help cushion the effects of rising living costs.

The group said the removal of petrol subsidies, without adequate protection for low-income households, had intensified the financial pressure on millions of Nigerians.

It called for targeted relief measures that would protect vulnerable citizens while ensuring that public interventions were not undermined by corruption, waste or poor oversight.

HURIWA also referenced comments by political economist Pat Utomi, reported by TheCable on October 16, 2026, in which he questioned the government’s response to the hardship facing ordinary Nigerians amid high petrol prices and wages that have struggled to keep pace with living costs.

The association said the concerns reflected growing frustration among citizens who believe the country’s natural-resource wealth should translate into improved living standards.

It urged the Federal Government to prioritise economic recovery, strengthen accountability in public spending, expand employment opportunities and ensure that government revenue delivers tangible benefits to Nigerians.

HURIWA maintained that investor confidence is important but should not take precedence over citizens’ welfare, arguing that the success of economic reforms should be measured by improvements in living conditions rather than assessments of the President’s re-election prospects.

The group reiterated that Nigeria’s political future rests with the electorate, not international investors or financial institutions.