Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for purchasing a new presidential jet and yacht while Nigerians are grappling with severe economic hardship. Duke made these remarks during an appearance on the socio-political program *Inside Sources*, hosted by Laolu Akande on Channels Television.
Duke expressed his disappointment, stating that it reflects a failure of leadership for the President to indulge in luxury when the nation is facing one of its worst economic crises since independence. He emphasized that leadership should prioritize the well-being of the people, comparing the role of a president to that of the head of a family.
“There is no glamour in saying your people are going through hard times. It’s a failure of your leadership. If I’m the head of a family, I want my family to have everything. I don’t want life to be difficult for them,” Duke said.
He further condemned the lavish lifestyle, pointing out the inconsistency of living extravagantly while many Nigerians are hungry. Duke criticized the recent nationwide protests against bad governance, stating they are a clear indication that President Tinubu has not acted as a responsible leader.
Duke also questioned Tinubu’s policies, particularly the decision to float the currency, which he described as a mistake that was not thoroughly considered. He linked the pressure on the Nigerian currency to the corruption-driven fuel importation process, urging the President to reassess his policies.
In addition to economic reforms, Duke called on Tinubu to hold security agencies accountable, reform the judiciary, and implement locally-driven solutions to address the country’s challenges, distancing himself from reliance on international financial institutions like the Bretton Woods system.