Going by the recent postulation and prognosis of Nigeria’s current socio-economic situation by several public affairs analysts, acting like medical experts, the nation’s body is currently sitting on a keg of gunpowder; worsened by the anti-people economic policies.

That is, especially so with the sudden removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023 that has led to the escalation in the inflation rate of virtually all consumables, including that of essential food items. Hence, the excruciating hunger in the land which led to the 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest across some states that crippled economic activities.

In fact, according to the African Polling Institute (API) Report conducted between May 1 and May 18, 2024 to critically assess the performance of the President Tinubu-led government, 84% of the respondents expressed profound sadness at the downturn of their quality of life.

While 74% of them stated that their economic situation has seriously worsened over the president’s first year in office compared to the past 20 years, 78 % assessed his performance as “abysmal”, 49% stated it as “very poor” and 29% agreed that it is indeed “poor”.

Overall, 81% of them warned that Nigeria is heading in the wrong direction. But while millions of Nigerians are still grappling with the hardship in the land, the Federal Government’s response to the protests leaves more questions than the desired answers.

Sadly, its focus has shifted to that of chasing the shadows of vilifying and incarcerating the protesters, rather than finding sustainable solutions to quelling the fire of the twin challenges of hunger and anger ravaging the country.

Much as we agree that the perpetrators of the heinous act of vandalization of both public and private buildings, as well as those engaged in the brandishing of the Russian flag blatantly violating the 1999 Constitution should be brought to justice, that should not be so for some innocent protesters still held under police captivity.

Or, the controversial allegation levelled by the police against the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, of getting himself involved in sponsoring acts of terrorism.

The way forward out of the wood is that of accountability, transparency, fiscal responsibility couched with prudence on the part of the political leaders at all levels

Worrisome also, is that of the government not providing credible answers to critically address the genuine demands of the protesters. Hence, the renewed plan by the masterminds of the #EndBadGovernance protest for the second version, tentatively scheduled for October 1, 2024.

In response, Chief Kenneth Udeze, the National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA) has described the protest as “a good initiative” but advised that subsequent ones should take a better direction in terms of “organization, orientation and security”.

He has therefore warned against such protests being hijacked by “interested participants” and “progovernment forces”. But our source of concern is that of the government neglecting the demands of the protesters.

While it is noticeable that the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, has admitted that the protest has actually brought to bear the imperative of the government addressing the concerns raised by the protesters, there is inadequate evidence on ground to match words with action.

Though he made this assertion during the Group National Economic Dialogue and explained that the current hardship was caused by the previous administration but that Tinubu is not interested in blame-game, the trending issues ring out some different tunes.

How for instance, do we justify the renovation of the Vice President’s residence, the purchase of a presidential yacht and jet all at prohibitive costs in the midst of mass misery? How do we explain the rationale behind the cloudy atmosphere in the oil industry with fuel prices still skyrocketing?

The way forward out of the wood is that of accountability, transparency, fiscal responsibility couched with prudence on the part of the political leaders, at all levels. The other is reducing the huge pay packages of all political appointees and elected ones.

The funds saved should be channeled to enhancing food security across the agricultural value chain under a safe and secure environment. Furthermore, the enabling environment for local manufacturing to thrive has to be provided at this critical time, to act as a catalyst to boost employment of the jobless youth and drastically reduce the hunger in the land. (New Telegraph Editorial)

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