A chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has urged the federal government to use the occasion of Nigeria’s independence anniversary to bring succour to Nigerians.
Our correspondent reports that the 64 independence anniversary has been fixed to take place tomorrow, Tuesday.
It could be recalled that civil society under the aegis of #EndBadGovernance Movement, have declared October 1, 2024 as a ‘National Day of Survival’, to protest the prevailing economic hardship sweeping through the country.
The movement cited the lack of action from the federal government despite the #EndBadGovernance protests of August.
They said the protest aims to address grievances surrounding the fuel price hike, rising food costs, and the impact of inflation on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
They criticised President Bola Tinubu’s government for “exacerbating poverty and hardship”.
Oguntoyinbo in a statement made available to journalists on Monday said the government should let Nigerians know that the country is truly an independent nation by carrying out actions that will give Nigerians succour from the harsh economic situation prevailing in the country.
He called on the federal government to reshape the economy and find solution to the high prices of petroleum products.
He said the situation in the country becomes terrible because there is absolutely poor electricity supply with the whole country being in darkness and while Nigerians are used to power from their generating sets with diesel and Petroleum Motor Spirit, the petroleum products are unavailable and costly.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must as the Minister of Petroleum find solution to the current non availability of fuel in the country. It is sad that we are witnessing scarcity of petroleum now that Nigerians are celebrating little reduction in the prices of foodstuffs.
“We are back to Square One, due to high cost of transportation as a result of high cost of petroleum products. The president must do something urgently by reducing the prices of petroleum products.
“The President should also finds way of crashing prices of foodstuffs, as an average Nigeria cannot afford three square meals a day. We cannot continue like this as a country and the President needs to summon courage and find lasting solution to the high cost of living in all parts of the country.
“Nigerians were happy at independence in 1960 and the expectations were very high of positive impacts but sadly after 64 years Nigerians have not got any relieve. The government should also listen to the protesters by addressing their demands as they meant well for all Nigerians.
He also called on the former Presidents and other statesmen in the country to use the occasion of the independence to come out and find solution to the current problem bedeviling the country.
“What is currently happening should be look at beyond politics. Former Presidents and other statesmen should come out to proffer solutions to the problems bedeviling the country”.
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