A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dele Momodu, has attributed Nigeria’s current economic woes to the misguided attempt to replicate the Lagos economic model in Abuja.
In an interview with Channels Television, Momodu opined that this approach has led to the country’s economic downturn.
News About Nigeria understands that his comments seem to be directed at President Bola Tinubu, who, as a former governor of Lagos, may have attempted to apply the same strategies at the federal level.
Momodu had previously expressed his concerns about the state of the economy in an open letter to President Tinubu, warning that the country is in dire straits and that the economy has “virtually collapsed.”
He urged the president to reassess his approach and prioritise meaningful development over frivolous spending.
During the interview, Momodu criticised the composition of President Tinubu’s cabinet, suggesting that many ministers lack the necessary qualifications and experience for their roles.
He contrasted this with the cabinets of former presidents Ibrahim Babangida and Olusegun Obasanjo, which he believed were more effective.
Momodu’s central argument is that Nigeria’s problems stem from a flawed approach to governance, where personal relationships and patronage take precedence over merit and competence.
He lamented the absence of talented Nigerians in key positions, citing his own experiences encountering high-achieving Nigerians abroad.
Momodu stated that Nigeria cannot continue to operate on a system of compensation and cronyism, urging the president to assemble a team of capable individuals who can drive meaningful progress.
Throughout the interview, Momodu reiterated his commitment to speaking truth to power, recalling his history of writing letters to past presidents and his willingness to offer candid advice to President Tinubu, with whom he has a long-standing relationship.
