Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has advised the Federal Government to implement long-term solutions to the economic hardship currently affecting millions of Nigerians.
Abdulsalami made this call on Tuesday while hosting a delegation from the Campaign for Democracy (CD), a civil society organisation, in Minna, Niger State.
During the meeting, the former military ruler expressed his concern about the rising cost of living in the country, which has left many Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities.
“People cannot afford three square meals a day,” Abdulsalami remarked. “The hike in fuel prices has caused an increase in transportation costs, school fees, and the price of food, leaving everyone with less money in their pockets.”
He noted that the current economic situation has worsened the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians, who are now battling soaring inflation. He described the hardship as being “out of control” and urged the government to take immediate steps to alleviate the suffering of its citizens.
“We will continue to encourage the government to introduce measures to soften the hardship,” he said. “The federal, state, and local governments must find ways to cushion the economic hardship affecting people across the country.”
Abdulsalami expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s approach to addressing the crisis, particularly its reliance on palliative measures to provide temporary relief.
“As far as I am concerned, giving palliatives is not the answer to the high prices of food and other essentials,” he said.
Instead of palliatives, Abdulsalami proposed that the government focus on ensuring that food is readily available and affordable for all Nigerians. He suggested that the government purchase food in large quantities and sell it at subsidized prices to make it accessible to people based on their income levels.
“The answer is to flood and saturate the communities with food,” Abdulsalami explained. “Let the government buy food and sell it at lower prices, so people can buy the food items they need, depending on their income.”
The former head of state also addressed the growing frustration among Nigerians, which has led to calls for protests against the rising cost of living. Various civil society groups and concerned citizens have announced plans to hold demonstrations on October 1, 2024, to demand government action.
While supporting the right to protest, Abdulsalami urged protesters to exercise caution and ensure that their demonstrations remain peaceful.
“For God’s sake, when you demonstrate, do it peacefully,” he advised. “There is nothing wrong with people expressing their frustrations, but it must be done in a way that does not escalate the situation or lead to violence.”
Abdulsalami’s comments come at a time when Nigerians are grappling with the harsh economic realities brought on by multiple factors, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira. These policy changes, although intended to stabilize the economy in the long run, have caused short-term hardship, leading to widespread discontent among the population.
The removal of fuel subsidies, in particular, has had a ripple effect on the cost of goods and services. Transportation costs have skyrocketed, making it more expensive for people to travel to work or send their children to school. The higher transportation costs have also contributed to the rising cost of food, as farmers and traders are now paying more to transport their produce to markets.
School fees have also increased, further straining the finances of families already struggling to make ends meet. Many parents are finding it difficult to pay for their children’s education, with some even withdrawing their children from private schools due to the high fees.
In response to these challenges, the Federal Government has introduced several palliative measures aimed at cushioning the impact of the economic reforms. These include cash transfers to vulnerable households and subsidies on certain food items. However, critics, including Abdulsalami, argue that these measures are insufficient to address the root causes of the hardship.
Civil society groups have also voiced their concerns about the government’s response to the crisis. Many argue that the palliatives are not reaching the intended beneficiaries and that more needs to be done to tackle inflation and restore stability to the economy.
The planned protests on October 1 are seen as a reflection of the growing frustration among Nigerians who feel that their concerns are not being adequately addressed by the government. The protests are expected to draw attention to the worsening economic situation and demand urgent action from policymakers.
