A former governor of Jigawa State has discredited the popular notion that President Bola Tinubu is responsible for the development of modern Lagos State, criticizing his federal government for its inability to effectively govern.
Tinubu served as the governor of Nigeria’s economic capital from 1999 to 2007. Some of his supporters attribute the progress of modern Lagos State to his leadership.
However, Lamido, a member of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), argues that Lagos, being a former Nigerian capital before it was relocated to Abuja, already benefited from significant presence and investment by the Federal Government.
“I knew him when he was with the SDP, when he served as the party’s secretary. I also witnessed his tenure as governor of Lagos State. I am well acquainted with his capabilities, what he can and cannot do. Fortunately, he is now at the helm of the country. But he did not build Lagos,” Lamido stated during an episode of Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.
“Lagos was developed using Nigerian funds – I’m referring to the port, the airport, and the bridges. So, when you claim that Tinubu built Lagos, that is not accurate.”
‘Government Making Numerous Mistakes’
Since assuming the presidency in May 2023, Tinubu’s administration has implemented several reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira.
However, these measures have resulted in a threefold increase in petrol prices, a rise in the cost of living, and a surge in inflation, which reached 33.6% in April 2024.
While the Tinubu administration urges Nigerians to be patient and believes that these policies will yield positive outcomes soon, Lamido has expressed dissatisfaction with the current government’s performance.
“The government is making numerous mistakes,” he criticized during the current affairs program, particularly highlighting concerns about the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project and the demand for a new minimum wage by labor unions.
According to Lamido, if the government can undertake such projects and manage resources prudently, Nigeria can easily afford to pay the new minimum wage as requested by labor leaders.
