When We were Growing Up, We Were Told Not To Lie On A New Year’s Day–Kenneth Okonkwo

According to a report by Daily Post on Friday, January 2, 2026, Kenneth Okonkwo, chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, on Friday criticised President Bola Tinubu over statements made in the New Year address, saying the message did not reflect the economic realities faced by Nigerians.

He said, “But going to Enugu, I paid N250,000 for a flight ticket, that’s almost more than 500% increase, and the President is sitting down in a New Year message, telling Nigerians about the rebased fraudulent inflation figure. It’s embarrassing and very annoying.”

Kenneth Okonkwo spoke during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, a programme aired on Channels Television, where he reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s New Year message to the nation.

He said the address failed to acknowledge the scale of hardship experienced by citizens, particularly in relation to rising costs of transportation and basic living expenses.

The ADC chieftain explained that his criticism was based on personal experience and long-standing social values regarding truthfulness at the start of a new year, stating that such traditions set expectations for leadership conduct over the months ahead. “And when we were growing up, we were told not to lie on a New Year’s day. That means we expect that this President and this government is going to lie throughout the year,” he said.

Kenneth Okonkwo further maintained that official economic figures cited by the administration did not align with what Nigerians encounter daily.

He argued that inflation statistics announced by the government contrast sharply with prices paid for goods and services, especially in the transport sector, which he described as a clear indicator of economic pressure.

The lawyer and actor said that flight fares within the country have become unaffordable for many citizens, using his recent travel as an example of what he called excessive cost increases.

He noted that such expenses affect both business activities and personal mobility, placing additional strain on households.

Kenneth Okonkwo added that public communication from the presidency should reflect the lived experiences of Nigerians and address specific challenges confronting them.

He said that acknowledging economic difficulties would help rebuild public trust and provide a clearer basis for policy discussions.

He made the remarks while responding to questions on national economic conditions and governance, as discussions continue across the country on the impact of recent economic policies and statements made by government officials at the start of the year.

If you love political news or like to get more news happening around the globe, use the button below to get more verified news happening around Nigeria and the world today.