Mutfwang: Tinubu met Nigeria 'on brink of collapse' in 2023

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has said President Bola Tinubu inherited an economy that was "tottering on the brink of collapse" when he took office in 2023.

Mutfwang spoke on Monday in Jos at the formal inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council, where he defended the Tinubu administration's economic reforms and asked Plateau residents to back the President in 2027.

He said the country he met could not service its external debts and that some international airlines stopped flying to Nigeria because they could not get dollars to take home their earnings.

According to the governor, external reserves had fallen to "a little over $3 billion" from more than $40 billion built up over decades. He said reserves now stand at over $50 billion.

Mutfwang also alleged that the previous administration under Muhammadu Buhari printed more than N30 trillion to manage the economy, and that the Central Bank has since stabilised.

Fuel, subsidy and the cost of living

On fuel, the governor said the subsidy system was fraudulent, alleging that money was borrowed to pay claims backed by fictitious documents. He did not name anyone.

He said fuel is now available, even if not cheap, and recalled the long queues Nigerians once faced at filling stations.

"It may not be cheap, but it is available," he said, adding that the country is still paying for crude oil sold in advance under the previous government.

Mutfwang said his own administration is trying to soften the impact on Plateau residents. He cited metro buses, a revived railway within Jos, a 50 per cent cut in tertiary school fees and higher student allowances.

He also praised the Federal Government's student loan scheme, NELFUND, saying Plateau students receive between N20,000 and N40,000 monthly.

On insecurity, he said the problem has not abated and did not deny that hunger exists. But he said his government is working on solutions and plans to help displaced persons return home.

"Insecurity is not like tap water, where you simply turn on the tap and it flows down," he said.

2027 and power rotation

Mutfwang called for power to rotate between the North and the South, arguing that the South should be allowed eight years after the North's eight.

He said there is "no vacancy" in Plateau Government House, insisting on two terms per senatorial zone, and predicted victory for Tinubu on January 16, 2027, with his own mandate renewed two weeks later.

He urged APC candidates to campaign with facts and to be "bridge-builders" rather than deepen divisions.