After Supporting Tinubu for President, How Do You Feel Now?” – Joke Silva Responds
Beloved Nigerian veteran actress Joke Silva caught a lot of heat when last year, she showed her support for presidential candidate turned current president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu. Many people were against her decision, and now, over a year after his reign as president, the Nigerian economy has never been worse.
During a new interview with The Sun, Joke Silva was asked how she feels about the Nigerian economy today under the helm of her chosen candidate, and here’s what Joke Silva had to say.
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Speaking about how she feels about the horrible state of Nigeria and the economy right now after the candidate she supported last year, Pres. Bola Tinubu, won, Joke Silva said:
JOKE SILVA: The economy is indeed in a difficult state, which is part of a global trend, with hyperinflation affecting many countries. My perspective is that while I’m not an economist, I hope for positive changes. I am not a big supporter of all the economic solutions proposed, but I remain hopeful that with time, improvements can be made.
Also from experience, especially during General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.)’s tenure as head of state, the IMF loans created significant economic problems. They didn’t work out well for Africa and often seemed to leave us in a worse state. Our people are incredibly intelligent and capable of negotiating effectively, yet we end up with unfavourable terms. Unlike countries with loans in their currency, our loans are in dollars, which exacerbates the issue. I believe we’re creative enough to find solutions if something is not working and should consider alternative approaches if necessary.
The current economic situation is concerning, but it’s not solely due to any one individual’s actions. The recent changes in currency led to confusing and frustrating situations where people bought money, which doesn’t make sense. If there is a need for temporary pain to eventually see improvement, then it should be shared equally among all. It often feels like the burden falls disproportionately on those outside the political sphere. There needs to be more transparency and effective policy changes from the political class.
I have never been one to blame a government outright. My only strong criticism was towards the Abacha government. Even with past leaders like Babangida, I have tried to focus on supporting leaders and praying for them. No leader is perfect. They all make mistakes as well as achieve success. My concern arises when positive initiatives started by previous administrations are not continued or are disregarded due to personal biases. If something beneficial was started by former President Buhari, I hope the current president would continue it and make necessary adjustments, focusing on the people’s needs rather than on personal or ego-driven decisions.
What do you think about what Joke Silva had to say? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.
