APC leader supports President Tinubu in suspending tariffs on food imports

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has expressed his strong support for the decision of President Bola Tinubu to suspend duties, levies and taxes on importation of grains and other essential products.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Oyintiloye, a former member of the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), criticised opponents of the policy, saying they were either profiting from the ongoing economic woes of Nigerians or were aiming to foment unrest by undermining the president’s efforts.

“Nigerians are full of hope and eagerly awaiting the fruits of democracy,” Oyintiloye said. He acknowledged that global economic problems and the inevitable policies of the current administration had affected the President’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. He noted, however, that recent measures to revive the economy were beginning to show positive results.

While acknowledging that the suspension of tariffs is not a permanent solution to the food crisis, Oyintiloye stressed that it will mitigate the immediate impact. “The President should be commended for this bold move,” he added, arguing that it shows how receptive the government is to public outcry.

The federal government announced the suspension on July 8, allowing duty-free imports of certain food items such as maize, wheat, husked brown rice and cowpeas for 150 days. The move, according to Oyintiloye, is a necessary response to rising food inflation, which reached 40.66% in May.

“I want to thank the President for suspending tariffs on food imports,” Oyintiloye said. “Although this is not a permanent solution, it will significantly alleviate the food crisis in the short term. The President should remain focused on improving the economy and ignore those who criticize without offering solutions.”

He also stressed the importance of modernising Nigeria’s agricultural sector and called on the government to introduce mechanised farming systems and support farmers with low-interest loans and subsidies. “Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Nigerian life,” said Oyintiloye, calling for greater security and the integration of young people into the agricultural system.

With these measures, Oyintiloye expressed his confidence in the government’s forecast that food prices would fall significantly within the next 180 days, as stated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.

The APC leader’s comments come amid an ongoing debate on the best strategies to address Nigeria’s food security challenges.

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