RismadarVoice Reporters
October 21, 2026
The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, accusing his administration of worsening the hardship facing Nigerians and questioning its promise of improved living conditions.
The organisation made the remarks in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediwa, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The group described Tinubu’s administration as a “Pharaoh-like regime,” drawing a comparison with the biblical account of the Israelites’ suffering in Egypt.
The criticism followed remarks made by the President on Monday during a meeting with members of the City Boy Movement at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu had defended his decision to remove petrol subsidies, arguing that returning to the previous arrangement would place an unsustainable burden on public finances.
Using the biblical story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, the President said Nigeria should not reverse its economic reforms because of the difficulties associated with them.
However, the Makinde-Daura campaign organisation rejected the comparison, arguing that Nigerians were still struggling with high living costs, expensive transportation, unemployment and reduced purchasing power.
The group maintained that the government’s economic policies had placed considerable pressure on households and businesses, questioning whether the reported improvements in economic indicators were benefiting ordinary citizens.
It also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing to deliver sufficient improvements in living standards.
The organisation presented Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as its alternative to the current administration.
According to the campaign group, Makinde’s RESET NIGERIA Agenda prioritises economic recovery, job creation, improved national security and reforms intended to strengthen public confidence in government institutions.
Makinde is contesting the 2027 presidential election alongside former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura, as his running mate.
The campaign organisation urged Nigerians to examine the government’s record and the policy proposals of competing candidates before the election.
Meanwhile, the Tinubu administration has maintained that its economic reforms are necessary to improve public finances, attract investment and establish a foundation for sustainable growth.
The President has consistently defended petrol subsidy removal, insisting that reversing the policy would undermine efforts to stabilise the economy.
The disagreement reflects continuing debate over the economic consequences of government reforms as political parties prepare for the 2027 general election.
