Sowore Accuses Tinubu of Making Dangote and His Allies Richer Through Economic Reforms

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies after Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, thanked the President for removing fuel subsidies and implementing foreign exchange reforms.

Sowore argued that the policies have benefited wealthy business interests while increasing economic pressure on millions of Nigerians.

Responding to Dangote’s remarks, Sowore said the reforms were implemented in a way that allowed Dangote and other business associates of the government to become richer while ordinary Nigerians faced higher living costs.

“That is not governance. It is a PADI PADI GOVERNMENT, a government of friends, by friends, and for friends,” Sowore wrote in a statement shared on social media.

Sowore also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that Nigerians were made to bear the impact through higher fuel prices.

He further questioned the distinction between fuel subsidies and other forms of government support to businesses, including tax concessions, waivers, preferential foreign exchange arrangements and access to public land and infrastructure.

“They tell Nigerians that subsidy is evil, but what do they call tax concessions and waivers for billionaires? SUBSIDY,” he said.

Sowore also alleged that the Dangote Group benefited from significant government support in the development of its refinery before the subsidy was removed.

He described the situation as “economic apartheid” and argued that Nigeria’s natural resources and economic wealth should benefit the wider population rather than a small group of wealthy individuals and their allies in government.

Sowore also used the statement to promote his political agenda ahead of the 2027 elections, saying a government led by him would restore fuel subsidies under what he described as a transparent and accountable system.

His comments came after Dangote praised Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy and reform the foreign exchange market, highlighting the contrasting positions of the businessman and the opposition politician on the government’s economic policies.