A social media commentator, Nefertiti (@firstladyship), has launched a scathing criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's economic policies, arguing that any recent move to reduce hardship ahead of the 2027 general election would be politically motivated.
In a lengthy post on X, Nefertiti dismissed recommendations for measures such as reducing the 7.5% VAT on electricity, lowering food prices and expanding access to compressed natural gas (CNG).
She argued that implementing such measures at this stage would be aimed primarily at improving the President's chances of securing re-election, rather than addressing what she described as the consequences of his economic policies.
The commentator further declared that Tinubu would not return to office after the 2027 election, writing that Nigerians should instead “keep your recommendations for the next government.”
Nefertiti's criticism focused heavily on the administration's decision to remove the petrol subsidy at the beginning of Tinubu's presidency, as well as subsequent changes to electricity tariffs and foreign-exchange policy.
She accused the administration of pursuing policies that increased the burden on households, describing the government's economic approach as insensitive to Nigerians experiencing rising living costs.
The post also compared Tinubu's administration with previous governments, citing programmes and interventions associated with former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.
Among the programmes mentioned were N-Power, NAPEP, SURE-P and the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
Nefertiti argued that previous administrations maintained fuel subsidies or introduced social intervention programmes, while Tinubu's government removed the subsidy without what she considers adequate cushioning measures.
She also made several serious allegations concerning government borrowing, spending and corruption, including a claim involving ₦15 trillion and businessman Gilbert Chagoury.
Those allegations are presented in the post as assertions by the commentator and should not be treated as established facts without independent verification.
Her comments come amid continuing political debate over whether the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration are beginning to deliver long-term benefits or have instead placed excessive pressure on households.
Supporters of the reforms have argued that removing fuel subsidies and changing the foreign-exchange regime were necessary to address longstanding structural weaknesses in Nigeria's economy. Critics, however, maintain that the immediate consequences including higher transportation, food and energy costs—have placed an unsustainable burden on ordinary Nigerians.
With the 2027 election approaching, economic conditions are increasingly becoming a major political issue.
The administration's ability to demonstrate improvements in purchasing power, food affordability, energy costs, employment and household welfare could therefore become an important factor in determining voters' choices.
Nefertiti concluded her post with a prediction that Tinubu would be voted out of office in 2027, while suggesting that he would be better suited to serving as an opposition politician.
The post reflects one side of Nigeria's increasingly heated political debate ahead of 2027. Whether its prediction reflects broader voter sentiment, however, will ultimately be determined by Nigeria's electorate at the ballot box.
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