A hopeless renewed hope.

The sole purpose of government is to represent the interest of the masses, and make living as comfortable as possible. - Olutoye Emmanuel


The reality of the APC government in Nigeria since assuming power in 2015 has been far from the above mentioned ideal. Instead of delivering on its promises and bringing hope to Nigerians, the APC government has presided over a period of economic decline, rising costs of living, and broken dreams for the common man.

Prior to President Muhammadu Buhari's assumption of power in 2015, Nigeria enjoyed a relatively stable economic environment. The exchange rate of the Naira to the dollar was reasonable, and the cost of essential goods, including fuel and food, was more affordable. However, under the APC's governance, inflation soared, leading to increased costs of living for ordinary citizens. The once affordable bag of rice now cost as much as thirty-five thousand Naira, and the exchange rate plummeted to an alarming 880 Naira to 1 dollar, causing financial strain for individuals and businesses alike.

Another devastating consequence of the APC government's policies was the rise in unemployment and underemployment rates. Many young Nigerians struggled to find stable jobs that offered decent pay, leading to frustration and a sense of disillusionment among the youth population. This trend not only hindered personal growth but also left a significant portion of the population unutilized in productive sectors, impeding the country's overall development.

For the first time in decades, Nigeria experienced a decline in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) under the APC government's watch. This downturn in economic performance had a ripple effect on various sectors, leading to reduced public spending on essential services and increasing budget deficits. The dwindling foreign reserves further exacerbated the economic challenges, leaving the common man grappling with the consequences.

Despite promises of improved infrastructure, the APC government's performance in this area was lackluster. The inadequate power supply, limited access to quality healthcare, and a struggling educational system hindered the socio-economic growth of the common man. These infrastructure deficiencies perpetuated the cycle of poverty and limited opportunities for citizens to improve their living conditions.

Before assuming power, the APC party criticized the fuel subsidy, labeling it a sham and scam. However, once in office, the APC government backtracked on this stance and continued to allocate a substantial portion of the country's annual budget to fuel subsidy. This inconsistency raised doubts about the government's sincerity and commitment to fulfilling its promises.

With the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC promised Nigerians a "Renewed Hope." However, the reality in the first two months of the transition has been far from hopeful. Instead of alleviating the people's suffering, the situation has worsened. Inflation has tripled, the exchange rate remains unstable, and the cost of essential commodities, including fuel, has skyrocketed. Subsidized services such as education and healthcare have been withdrawn, causing an unbearable increase in costs for citizens already struggling to make ends meet.

Despite the promises of representing the interest of the masses, the APC government in Nigeria has fallen short of this mandate. From economic decline to rising costs of living, broken promises, and inadequate governance, the common man has been left to bear the brunt of these failures. Instead of fostering a comfortable living for its citizens, it appears that the APC government's interests lie elsewhere, serving the political circles rather than the people they were elected to represent. If genuine change is to be achieved, it is imperative for the government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens and work towards creating an environment that truly reflects the collective aspirations of the Nigerian people.

Olutoye Emmanuel 
ayomayowa0624@gmail.com 

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