REVIEWSNETWORK@CHANNELSTV.NG | POLITICS TODAY | Conversation With Gabriel Suswam

This video (see it here) is a political discussion featuring Senator Gabriel Suswam on Politics Today. Here are the major issues discussed:

June 12 Democracy Day

·       President Bola Tinubu is expected to attend a joint session of the National Assembly to commemorate the day.

·       The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced Tinubu’s participation, marking a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.

ECOWAS at 50

·       Leaders from across West Africa, including Tinubu, gathered in Lagos to celebrate the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

·       The event emphasized regional unity, economic integration, and overcoming colonial legacies.

·       Former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon, one of ECOWAS’s founding figures, was present.

State of the Nation

·       Suswam criticized Tinubu’s government, arguing that economic policies—such as subsidy removal, currency devaluation, and high monetary policy rates—have worsened inflation and hardship.

·       He pointed out that Nigeria is not a producing economy, making these policies particularly damaging.

·       He warned that without mitigating measures, the economic situation could deteriorate further.

PDP Crisis

·       The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is facing internal conflicts, particularly over the National Secretary position.

·       Senator Sam Anyanwu insists he remains the National Secretary, despite opposition within the party.

·       Suswam blamed the acting PDP National Chairman for failing to provide leadership, leading to confusion and division.

·       He also highlighted the rift between Nyesom Wike and other PDP leaders, which could further destabilize the party.

2027 Elections

·       Suswam warned that Tinubu’s biggest challenge in 2027 may not be political parties, but the Nigerian people if economic conditions do not improve.

·       He emphasized that public dissatisfaction could be more powerful than opposition coalitions.

Let’s Go Deeper on The Subject Matter At This Time

Based on the topics covered in the discussion with Senator Gabriel Suswam, here are some relevant issues that could have also been addressed:

1. Security Challenges

Nigeria continues to grapple with banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping, especially in the Northwest and Northcentral regions. Given his experience, Suswam might have argued that economic hardships have exacerbated insecurity, as desperation pushes more people into criminal activities. He could have called for improved intelligence-sharing, better community policing, and more investment in job creation to reduce crime.

2. Electricity and Infrastructure

With power supply worsening and transportation costs rising, the state of Nigeria’s infrastructure is another critical issue. Suswam might have suggested greater investment in renewable energy, reviving failing national grids, and improving road networks to ease the cost of doing business.

3. Youth Unemployment and Brain Drain

Many Nigerian graduates struggle to find jobs, and professionals are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad. Suswam might have pointed out that inflation and weak economic policies have contributed to this trend. He could have advocated for more government incentives for entrepreneurship, better vocational training, and a long-term strategy to retain skilled workers.

4. Social Welfare and Minimum Wage

With the rising cost of living, there’s a strong demand for an updated minimum wage and stronger social welfare programs. Suswam could have argued that Tinubu’s economic policies must be accompanied by measures that protect low-income earners, including subsidized healthcare, affordable education, and cash transfers to vulnerable families.

5. Electoral Reforms and Political Integrity

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, discussions around electoral integrity, vote-buying, and judicial independence are crucial. Suswam might have emphasized the need for stronger oversight by INEC, tighter campaign finance laws, and protection against political persecution of opposition voices.

Given his outspoken stance, Suswam likely would have criticized the government's handling of these issues while calling for more inclusive and transparent governance.

Nigeria's Economic Policies

The outlined issues are deeply intertwined with Nigeria's economic policies, as they all reflect the broader challenges of governance, fiscal strategy, and national development:

1. Security Challenges & Economic Instability

·       Persistent insecurity increases economic uncertainty, discourages investment, and disrupts business activities, particularly in sectors like agriculture and commerce.

·       The government's economic policy must account for funding security, but excessive spending on defense can divert resources from development initiatives.

·       A stable security environment encourages foreign direct investment (FDI), which is essential for economic growth.

2. Electricity & Infrastructure

·       Nigeria’s inconsistent power supply affects businesses, leading to higher production costs and reducing economic competitiveness.

·       Infrastructure deficits, such as poor road networks, increase transportation costs, making goods more expensive.

·       A solid economic policy should prioritize energy reforms and public-private partnerships to improve infrastructure.

3. Youth Unemployment & Brain Drain

·       High unemployment rates mean fewer people contribute to the economy through taxes and productivity.

·       Many young professionals are leaving Nigeria due to poor job prospects, which reduces the domestic talent pool.

·       Economic policies should focus on job creation through industrialization, entrepreneurship incentives, and education reform to equip young people with employable skills.

4. Social Welfare & Minimum Wage

·       The cost of living has soared due to subsidy removal and currency devaluation, making an updated minimum wage a crucial economic policy issue.

·       Weak social welfare structures mean low-income earners struggle to cope with inflation.

·       Effective economic policies should include inflation control, livable wages, and targeted social safety nets.

5. Electoral Reforms & Political Integrity

·       A strong electoral system builds investor confidence, ensuring that political transitions do not destabilize markets.

·       Corruption and political uncertainty can discourage investment, weakening economic stability.

·       Economic policies should support transparent governance, anti-corruption measures, and credible elections, as they directly impact national and international business confidence.

These issues underscore the importance of balanced economic policies that tackle security, infrastructure, employment, social welfare, and governance. Senator Suswam’s remarks suggest that without clear solutions to these problems, public dissatisfaction may shape Nigeria’s political and economic landscape in the coming years.

Steps to Improving Nigeria’s Economic Situation

Improving Nigeria's economic stability requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses key challenges such as inflation, unemployment, infrastructure deficits, and governance inefficiencies. Here are some practical solutions:

1. Fiscal and Debt Management

·       Debt Restructuring: Renegotiate existing debts to reduce interest rates and extend repayment periods.

·       Revenue Diversification: Expand the tax base and improve collection efficiency to reduce reliance on oil revenue.

·       Austerity Measures: Cut unnecessary government spending and eliminate wasteful subsidies.

2. Monetary Policy Adjustments

·       Inflation Control: Implement tighter monetary policies to stabilize prices.

·       Exchange Rate Management: Maintain a competitive exchange rate to boost exports and reduce reliance on imports.

3. Economic Diversification

·       Support Local Production: Reduce dependency on imports by investing in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.

·       Encourage SMEs: Provide incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises to foster entrepreneurship.

4. Infrastructure Development

·       Energy Sector Reform: Invest in renewable energy to reduce operational costs and improve business productivity.

·       Transportation Improvements: Upgrade roads, railways, and ports to facilitate trade and reduce logistics costs.

5. Human Capital Development

·       Education and Skills Training: Enhance vocational training and digital literacy to create a more competitive workforce.

·       Healthcare Investments: Improve healthcare services to boost labor productivity and reduce health-related economic burdens.

6. Investor Confidence and Governance

·       Transparent Policies: Strengthen anti-corruption measures and ensure policy consistency to attract foreign investment.

·       Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between government and private sector to drive economic growth.

7. Social Welfare and Poverty Reduction

·       Minimum Wage Review: Adjust wages to match inflation and improve workers' purchasing power.

·       Targeted Social Programs: Implement cash transfers and subsidies for vulnerable populations.

These solutions, if effectively implemented, can help Nigeria achieve long-term economic stability and sustainable growth.

Public Opinion

There are mixed reactions to Senator Gabriel Suswam's appearance and submissions on Politics Today. Here are some key sentiments from viewers:

Positive Reactions

·       Many praised Suswam for his boldness and clarity, especially his statement that Tinubu’s biggest opposition in 2027 may not be political parties but the Nigerian people.

·       Some viewers appreciated his insightful analysis of Nigeria’s economic challenges, calling him one of the country’s brilliant political minds.

·       Others expressed admiration for his political experience, saying his comments reflected deep knowledge of governance.

Critical Reactions

·       Some criticized Suswam for focusing too much on politics rather than offering concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic problems.

·       A few viewers questioned his credibility, arguing that as a former governor, he was part of the system that contributed to Nigeria’s current challenges.

·       Others accused him of political bias, suggesting that his criticisms of Tinubu’s government were driven by party loyalty rather than objective analysis.

Controversial Reactions

·       A coalition group from Ukum Local Government Area demanded an apology from Suswam over alleged uncharitable remarks he made about their community.

·       Some viewers debated the PDP crisis, with differing opinions on whether Suswam’s comments accurately reflected the party’s internal struggles