Are APC Members Also Feeling The Heat Of Hardship Under Tinubu’s Government?, by Isaac Asabor

In the midst of Nigeria’s deepening economic struggles, one cannot help but wonder: “Are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) also feeling the pinch of hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration?” As the country faces rising inflation, soaring fuel prices, and worsening poverty, it appears that even some APC elites, who once seemed immune, are now lamenting their plight. The very architects of the policies being implemented are beginning to feel the harsh consequences of those same decisions.

In February 2024, the North-West youth wing of the APC broke its silence, expressing grave concerns over the escalating cost of living, hunger, and insecurity in the region. Their call for action was a rare public plea from a group that traditionally aligns itself with the ruling government. The youth wing’s statement, calling on President Tinubu and party leaders to intervene, marked a significant shift in tone, as even loyal party members began to question the trajectory of the country. “We can no longer stay silent while our people suffer,” they said, urging the government to prioritize economic relief measures for Nigerians.

This was not an isolated incident. In September 2024, which is invariably the ongoing month,  a highly respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief SeniIbiwoye, voiced similar concerns. Speaking at a public forum, Ibiwoye called for a rethink of the federal government’s economic policies, particularly the recent fuel price hikes. “The masses of this country are groaning and suffering,” he said, adding that the government’s decisions are hurting ordinary Nigerians. Ibiwoye’s remarks are particularly telling because, as a member of the legal elite, he likely enjoys a level of financial comfort that many Nigerians do not. For him to publicly criticize the government’s handling of the economy speaks volumes about the severity of the situation.

In Osun State, another prominent APC chieftain, Hon. OlatunbosunOyintiloye, also issued a heartfelt appeal to President Tinubu, asking him to act quickly to alleviate the suffering of the masses. “The people are feeling the heat,”Oyintiloye said, urging the government to take swift action. The fact that members of the ruling party are openly expressing concerns about the direction of the country is an indication that even those who helped bring the administration to power are not immune to the ripple effects of its policies.

Perhaps the most striking sign of the far-reaching impact of the economic crisis is the admission by Senator Orji UzorKalu, a former governor and influential APC leader, who acknowledged the financial hardship in Nigeria. In January 2024, Kalu appealed to Nigerians to give the Tinubu government more time to turn things around, but even he has since found himself forced to make lifestyle changes. In a now-viral video, Kalu revealed that he had stopped using his private jet due to the high cost of aviation fuel (Jet A1).

Buying fuel and all of the rest… I have grounded the private jet to do some other businesses for oil companies,”Kalu explained. His decision to opt for commercial flights was a stark contrast to his usual affluent lifestyle, reflecting the severity of the economic crisis. If someone of Kalu’s stature, who has the means to own a private jet, is feeling the strain, what does that say about the millions of Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities?

In addition to Kalu, Joe Igbokwe, another prominent APC chieftain, has shared his struggles in adjusting to the new economic reality. In a candid social media post, Igbokwe admitted that he had drastically reduced his energy consumption at home, switching off 70% of his electrical appliances to save on costs. “I don carry my motor comot for road oooo. No be anywhere I de go now. For house, we don switch off 70% of the electricity to surviveoooo. Life na teacher ooooo,” he wrote, capturing the frustration of many Nigerians who have had to change their lifestyles to cope with the spiraling cost of living.

Igbokwe’s admission, like Kalu’s, underscores the reality that economic hardship does not discriminate. The fact that senior APC members, who hold positions of influence and power, are speaking openly about their struggles suggests that the economic situation is reaching a boiling point. It is not just the everyday Nigerian who is feeling the pain, but the very people who helped, vicariously through public comments, particularly Joe Igbokwe who has a frequent presence online leading to the implementation of  the policies that have led to the current situation.

The growing chorus of concerns from within the APC begs the question: “Is President Tinubu listening?” The president, who campaigned on promises of economic growth and development, now faces an increasingly restless nation. While many Nigerians outside the APC have long voiced their displeasure with the administration’s policies, the fact that prominent party members are now joining the chorus suggests that the discontent is reaching a critical level.

Even though many in the APC have maintained their loyalty to the president, it is clear that the economic situation is creating cracks within the party. The admission by Senator Kaluthat he could no longer afford to operate his private jet, and Igbokwe’s decision to limit his electricity use, reflect an uncomfortable reality that no one in Nigeria, regardless of their political affiliation, can escape the ripple effects of bad policy decisions.

As the country continues to grapple with economic challenges, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the hardship is not limited to the poor or politically unaffiliated. Even members of the APC are feeling the strain, and their public admissions are a powerful indictment of the government’s current trajectory.

If high-ranking members of the ruling party, including lawmakers, legal luminaries, and political influencers, are calling for change, then the government must listen. The hardship is not just a matter of political posturing or opposition criticism, it is a reality that cuts across all segments of society, from the struggling market woman to the affluent senator. President Tinubu must take swift and decisive action to address these concerns before the situation spirals further out of control.

In the end, the question remains: “If even APC elites are feeling the heat, how much longer can ordinary Nigerians bear the weight of this hardship?”