MIC ON PODCAST

Can making money for yourself translate into the ability to run an economy? As Nigeria looks towards another election, how much of our political judgement is driven by facts, and how much by emotions? Is corruption really Nigeria's biggest problem? And who should Nigerians trust with the economy and the future of the country? JJ Omojuwa joins Mic On for a challenging conversation about Nigeria's economy, political choices and the questions voters should be asking ahead of 2027. Full conversation is up at 7pm WAT tomorrow.

“with the policy that Atiku Abubakar will bring, fuel will be cheaper than even Tinubu met it.” - Kenneth Okonkwo Kenneth Okonkwo argues that Atiku’s proposed approach to electricity, security and domestic crude production could lower fuel prices, comparing Nigeria’s situation with Libya’s.

‘this man removed subsidy under the pretense that he will use the money to provide infrastructures. You’re not having the infrastructures, you’re not having the subsidy and yet the man is borrowing.’ - Kenneth Okonkwo Kenneth Okonkwo accuses Tinubu of failing to provide infrastructure promised despite removal of subsidy and still borrowing money.

“Tell me one important office that Tinubu has given to Southeast.” Kenneth Okonkwo questions the Southeast’s representation under the Tinubu administration, arguing that ministerial appointments alone cannot be used to answer concerns about political marginalisation.

“in each electoral cycle, you will take stock of the situation of your country, the macroeconomic situation, the microeconomic variables, and you will choose who is that leader that will most likely perform in that particular area.” - Kenneth Okonkwo Kenneth Okonkwo explains why his political support has shifted across different election cycles, arguing that the state of the country should determine who Nigerians choose to support.

“the other two said they will not bring back subsidy, meaning no matter the extent of hardship and suffering, they are not going to intervene to bring succor to the people.” - Kenneth Okonkwo Kenneth Okonkwo explains why he chose to support Atiku Abubakar, arguing that his position on fuel subsidy sets him apart from both Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi.

“The presidency and his officials are the most subsidized people in the whole world.” - Kenneth Okonkwo Kenneth Okonkwo questions why government officials appear shielded from the same hardships facing the people.

“Whenever he reaches election, that’s when he will remember us so that some people will foolishly go and vote for him.” - Kenneth Okonkwo Kenneth Okonkwo accuses Tinubu of sidelining the Southeast and only remembering the Igbo when he needs their votes.

“he hates them.” - Kenneth Okonkwo Kenneth Okonkwo weighs in on whether the Tinubu government marginalises the Southeast and the Igbo people, pointing to questions of ethnic and religious representation.

“Muslim-Muslim ticket… meaning he has excluded us religious-wise and excluded us ethnic-wise.” - Kenneth Okonkwo Kenneth Okonkwo argues that the Tinubu government has marginalized the Southeast, both ethnically and religiously.

‘Atiku has displayed that he is the most consistent democrat in Nigeria.’ — Kenneth Okonkwo youtu.be/LD61U-nOHWo?si=Q6-b…

‘Nigerians are not going to tolerate that rigging, it’s either the election is done the way it’s supposed to be done or this APC Government will collapse on it’s own.’ — Kenneth Okonkwo youtu.be/LD61U-nOHWo?si=Q6-b…

‘Professor Amupitan the chairman of INEC is supervising criminality inside INEC by the law.’ — Kenneth Okonkwo youtu.be/LD61U-nOHWo?si=Q6-b…

‘Are you not aware that INEC had brought out 103 million voter registers and are not allowing Nigerians to see who and who are in the register.’ — Kenneth Okonkwo youtu.be/LD61U-nOHWo?si=Q6-b…

‘If Nigerians are not vigilant the election of 2027 is already rigged.’ — Kenneth Okonkwo youtu.be/LD61U-nOHWo?si=Q6-b…

'There is only one place that the President should be… Bourdillon, he should go back there and stay there. And from there be going to France.’ — Kenneth Okonkwo youtu.be/LD61U-nOHWo?si=Q6-b…

'They(Tinubu’s Government) were able to save money to remove us from national debt when they were paying subsidy, now they’re not paying subsidy but accumulating debt, this Government is full of contradictions.’ — Kenneth Okonkwo

'Honestly, I thought no other leader would perform worse than Buhari(Former President Muhammadu Buhari) in the indices but Tinubu has beaten it.’ — Kenneth Okonkwo youtu.be/LD61U-nOHWo?si=Q6-b…

'Our inflation rate in Nigeria is galloping to 35%’ — Kenneth Okonkwo youtu.be/LD61U-nOHWo?si=Q6-b…

'Any nation like Tinubu is doing that is giving you loan at 30% or 35% interest rate does not want you to succeed.’ — Kenneth Okonkwo youtu.be/LD61U-nOHWo?si=Q6-b…