‘People Are Hungry’ Is Not Manifesto, Nya-Etok Tells Atiku, Obi

The Executive Director of Estate Services at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok, has told opposition politicians that “people are hungry” is not a manifesto.

He spoke ahead of the 2027 presidential election, in which Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr Peter Obi are the main challengers to President Bola Tinubu.

Nya-Etok, while addressing select journalists at a media parley held at his Asokoro office in Abuja on Thursday, explained why he backs Tinubu’s re-election bid.

According to the FHA ED, his support is based on Tinubu’s commitment to structural reforms, appointment of professionals and translation of policy decisions into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians.

He acknowledged that the foundations being laid must translate into better lives for ordinary Nigerians.

He cited the removal of the petrol subsidy, changes to the foreign exchange system, tax legislation, student financing through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and infrastructure projects. He said the reforms should be judged on their costs and measurable results, and on whether they would lead to affordable living conditions, jobs and better public services.

He acknowledged that hardship persists, saying “A family struggling to buy food does not experience economic recovery merely because an indicator has improved, and a parent unable to pay school fees cannot be satisfied by a report of macroeconomic progress alone.”

Nya-Etok said the government must explain its decisions clearly, publish credible evidence of progress and show citizens when the reforms will benefit them.

He also called for improved attention to social housing, mass transportation, primary healthcare, education and the payment of legitimate salaries and pensions. He said additional resources must be committed to produce visible services at the grassroots.

Nya-Etok recalled that he spent decades advocating better governance and improvements in Nigeria’s housing sector before entering public service. He said he was not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) when President Tinubu appointed him to the FHA. He described the appointment as evidence that Tinubu weighs professional experience alongside political factors.

On housing, he advocated policies that combine affordable accommodation with jobs, vocational training and local production, particularly for low-income Nigerians.

He urged Nigerians to demand specific commitments from every presidential candidate and scrutinise how each would fulfil their promises.

He stressed, “Opposition must do better if they want to be given power.”

He encouraged voters to assess Tinubu’s record and equally demand detailed proposals from his challengers.

“The incumbent must account for the mandate previously entrusted to him. The challenger must present a credible alternative. Both must submit themselves to the judgment of the electorate,” he said.

“Nigeria’s future deserves more than slogans, personalities, or political hostility.”