In a fiery live TV debate, APC Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru clashed with Seun Okinbaloye, challenging the official inflation figures and sparking a heated discussion on the state of Nigeria’s economy under President Tinubu.
In a recent live television interview, APC National Secretary Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru engaged in a heated debate with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, challenging the official inflation data produced by President Tinubu’s administration.
The exchange began when Seun Okinbaloye highlighted the inflation rate, which had risen from about 22% before President Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023, to approximately 33.95% currently. Senator Basiru was quick to discredit the data, arguing, “I don’t agree with that statistic.” When pressed for his own figures, Basiru admitted he did not have alternative data but maintained his skepticism.
Basiru questioned the reliability of the inflation figures provided by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), despite their official status. “It’s the NBS, with salaries paid by the government. I don’t agree,” he stated. Okinbaloye, standing firm, reiterated that these were the official figures: “March 2024, 33%. May 2023, 22.41%. Food inflation in March 2024, 53%.”
The debate intensified as Basiru questioned Okinbaloye’s sources and dismissed the inflation figures as potentially misleading. Seun Okinbaloye countered by pointing out the real-life impact of rising prices on essential commodities like yam, rice, and tomatoes, suggesting that the inflationary pressures were evident to the average Nigerian.
Despite acknowledging the challenges in food security, Basiru insisted that the government’s efforts to release food reserves into the market were a testament to their commitment to addressing the issue. However, he firmly rejected the notion that the current administration’s economic policies were failing.
The lively exchange highlighted the growing public concern over inflation and the cost of living in Nigeria. While Senator Basiru remained defiant about the official figures, the debate underscored the ongoing challenges facing the nation’s economy under President Tinubu’s leadership. WATCH VIDEO BELOW
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