By Sunday Ihechukwu
Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo has chided the President Bola Tinubu All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government for thinking that methodological rebasing of Consumer Price Index (CPI) will magically bring down the price of inflation in the country.
He was reacting to the idea by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that methodological rebasing of the CPI would magically bring down inflation by 10 points or have any effect on how inflation is felt in the real economy.
Writing on his official X, @Pres_Adebayo, he argued that the only thing that would bring inflation down in Nigeria is to increase productivity, employment, social services and basic infrastructure.
He said: “The real way to bring inflation down and have a realistic Consumer Price Index is to increase employment; productivity, especially in agro-allied and mining sectors; social services and basic infrastructure.
“Costs of production must first come before the costs of consumption can have a realistic chance of following suit. That’s how to extract a credible, functional and realistic CPI for macroeconomic planning. Enough of the faux economics of masking and masquerading poverty and insecurity by @OfficialAPCNg who fancies that economics, like elections, is fair game for rigging.”
He advised the government to wake up to the reality of macroeconomic meltdown and stagnant productivity.
“The government had better wake up and smell the burning coffee of macroeconomic meltdown and stagnant productivity. Let us watch how the infallibility of inflationary pressures in the wake of a disjointed fiscal and monetary policy misalignment inherent in the overloaded 2025 budget would show that this nominal facade of cooking numbers has legs on the ground. The people of Nigeria should not be deceived by this lazy trick,” he submitted.
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Obi prays for God to grant Soludo greater heights Chuks Eze The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has called on the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo to show humility, gratitude and compassion, following what he described as an ‘unfortunate and bitter’ outburst by the governor. Speaking to journalists at the just-concluded Nigeria Guild of Editors meeting at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja, Obi congratulated Soludo for securing a second tenure and urged him to appreciate God’s mercies by responding to victory with grace rather than resentment. Obi’s remarks came after Soludo provoked controversy during his certificate-of-return ceremony, where he mocked his critics by calling Obi a ‘frustrated politician without a club’ and accused him of damaging the education system in Anambra. “I feel compelled to respond because if I do not, I will be accused of dodging the question,” Obi said, expressing surprise at Soludo’s remarks. “On an occasion meant to celebrate his certificate of return, instead of thanking Almighty God for granting him a second tenure; a moment to demonstrate love and magnanimity, he chose to show bitterness and resentment. It was deeply unfortunate.” Obi clarified his involvement in the recent Anambra election, saying, “I only attended three public events with the Labour Party candidate, strictly where I was invited. At none of these events did I mention anyone by name or meet with traditional rulers, market leaders or any other group to discuss candidates. There was nothing I said to warrant controversy or speculation,” he stressed. Reflecting on the Election Day, Obi recounted how he quietly fulfilled his civic duty, conscious of the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership. “I witnessed irregularities and disruptions that could have easily escalated into chaos,” he said. “When outsiders attempted to cast votes in our community, I stepped in and urged my people to remain calm and allow them to act peacefully. In that moment, I was reminded that integrity must always take precedence over politics. True leadership is measured, not by the contest for power, but by the courage to uphold fairness, restraint and the dignity of our people, even in the most trying circumstances.” Addressing Soludo’s mocking remarks, he used a vivid metaphor from football to clarify his perspective: “On the day of the election, journalists approached me as if I were on the ballot. I reminded them that I served as governor 13 years ago and have since moved on to a higher level in national politics. In football terms, if gubernatorial candidates are in the first division, I am in the Champions League. I ran for Vice President in 2019 and for President in 2023, winning 11 states and Abuja. I play well at that level, and my record speaks for itself.” He also reflected on his age and historic achievements in Anambra State. “In both the old and new Anambra, only Jim Nwobodo and I became governors in our 40s. I was the first to serve a second tenure. I have no personal issue with Governor Soludo. I pray that God grants him even greater heights, if that will inspire him to show humility, compassion and a genuine concern for the people,” he said. He concluded with an appeal, saying, “We must recognise the mercies God grants us. Leadership is not about resentment or bitterness; it is about service, gratitude, and love for our people.”
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