Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has faulted the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for commending President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the economy, saying her remarks do not reflect the harsh realities Nigerians are currently facing.

George, speaking as a guest on Nigeria Info’s “Let’s Talk” programme, dismissed Okonjo-Iweala’s recent praise of Tinubu’s economic reforms as “arrant nonsense.” He argued that the WTO boss, who resides abroad, cannot fully grasp the depth of hunger, anger, and discontent among ordinary Nigerians. According to him, “She lives in New York. That is not the picture she is seeing. Let her come here and get the feelings of the people. There’s plenty of anger here in Nigeria. Our people are suffering.”

He said it was insensitive for Okonjo-Iweala to commend the administration when many households are struggling to survive. “There’s hunger in the land. Nigerians are battling to feed, and this is the time to speak the truth, not to flatter those in power,” he stressed. George pointed out that economists, unlike scientists who work in the physical sciences, often view problems through theoretical lenses that do not match real-life experiences on the ground. “Economists are social scientists, not physical scientists like us. They can sit abroad and make projections, but it does not reflect the pain on the streets of Nigeria,” he added.

The elder statesman emphasised that what Nigerians desire is not foreign validation but fair and transparent governance that ensures equitable distribution of the country’s vast resources. “This country is so blessed. There is no village you will visit in Nigeria that is not blessed with one natural resource or the other. What we want here in Nigeria is a fair government that works for the people,” he said. George insisted that praising Tinubu’s economic management while citizens face skyrocketing prices of food, transportation, and basic commodities amounts to ignoring the struggles of millions of families.

Okonjo-Iweala, who has earned global recognition as WTO chief, was accused by George of being out of touch with the Nigerian reality. He suggested that her distance from the country makes her assessments questionable. “Mrs. World Trade Organisation should remain there if she cannot feel the hardship in Nigeria. Nigerians do not need external praises; they need relief from suffering,” he declared. The PDP leader stressed that external commendations mean little when markets remain volatile, the naira unstable, and inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of citizens.

George’s comments echo the rising frustration across the country. Protests have broken out in several states in recent months over high costs of living, food shortages, and rising insecurity. Civil society groups and labour unions have repeatedly warned that the economic hardship could trigger widespread unrest if urgent interventions are not introduced. Analysts note that while international institutions often focus on policy frameworks, Nigerians judge government performance by the quality of their daily lives—whether they can afford meals, send their children to school, or access healthcare.

Okonjo-Iweala had recently lauded the Tinubu administration for taking “difficult but necessary” steps to stabilise the economy, such as subsidy removal and exchange rate unification. She argued that while the reforms are painful, they were critical for long-term growth. However, critics like George counter that the short-term pain has become unbearable, with no immediate safety nets to cushion the impact on ordinary Nigerians.

George concluded his remarks with a note of caution to political leaders and international observers alike. “Nigeria is a land of abundance. God has blessed this nation in every corner, but our people are hurting because of bad governance. We don’t need commendation from abroad; what we need is a government that cares about its citizens.”

The PDP stalwart urged the Tinubu administration to prioritise policies that directly improve the living standards of Nigerians rather than focusing on international image-building. Political watchers say George’s outburst reflects a larger sentiment among opposition leaders who accuse the Tinubu government of ignoring domestic realities in favour of external validation. The divide between international endorsements and local frustrations highlights the gap between Nigeria’s policy directions and public expectations.

For many Nigerians, the debate is not about whether reforms are necessary but about how they are being implemented and who bears the heaviest burden. While the government touts long-term gains, citizens demand immediate relief from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. Chief Bode George’s fiery criticism underscores a growing chorus of voices warning against glossing over Nigeria’s economic pain with international applause. As he put it bluntly: “Mrs. World Trade Organisation, let her remain there. Here in Nigeria, what we need is fair governance, not empty commendations.” (BusinessDay)