Tinubu faces backlash over new cost-cutting measures

President Bola Tinubu’s directive to limit the convoy size of ministers and heads of federal agencies to a maximum of three vehicles has sparked mixed reactions on social media.

The new policy, announced on Thursday, October 24, 2024, also limits these officials to having at most five security personnel—four police officers and one Department of State Services (DSS) officer.

In a statement released by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu emphasized that these measures are part of broader efforts to cut government expenses. He previously reduced his entourage on foreign trips from 50 to 20 officials and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s entourage to 15 for local trips.

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While some welcomed the move, a significant number of netizens criticized the directive, challenging Tinubu to start leading by example. One comment read, “Someone who sacked five ministers but replaced them with seven is talking about reducing the cost of governance?”

Another pointed to perceived inconsistencies, singling out the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. One netizen stated, “Wike’s convoy is over 12 cars with four power bike riders! His convoy is more than that of his governor days! He still sees himself as a governor till date, and he will never comply with this directive.”

In response to the criticism, the President has tasked the National Security Adviser with engaging military and paramilitary bodies to determine reductions in vehicle and security personnel deployments across all affected agencies. However, many remain skeptical about how effectively these measures will be enforced, especially given the longstanding tradition of large convoys among Nigerian public officials.

Read some netizens’ reactions below;

@B_pastor1: Someone that sacked 5 ministers and employed 7 ministers is talking about reduction in cost of governance.

@marythessy: Wike minister of Fct will not comply o! This convoy is over 12 cars with 4 power bike riders! His convoy is more than that of his gov sef! He will never comply I’m telling you! He still sees himself as a governor till date!

@omatarazi: They say “A pot with a shiny lid may still be empty inside.” while t-pain government may announce these cost cutting measures, they could simply be surface level actions designed to deceive the masses, rather than genuine efforts to reduce spending or improve governance.

@ogbuka: Tinubu convoy should lead by example sir

@flourish007: He should set an example through his actions rather than giving a vague directive.

You can’t go around looking like you’re preparing for war and expect ministers like Wike to travel with just three vehicles.

@tonye: He should start from himself

The directive comes at a time when the government faces mounting pressure to demonstrate fiscal prudence amidst economic challenges and public outcry over high costs of governance. Whether this move will bring the desired changes or merely trigger further discontent remains to be seen.