Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has urged President Bola Tinubu to personally demonstrate the sacrifices he expects from Nigerians, given the country’s current economic struggles.
Speaking in an interview with News Central, the human rights activist criticized Tinubu’s economic policies, which she said have worsened the hardship faced by citizens.
“If I had the opportunity to speak with him, I would ask him to first understand the true meaning of sacrifice and embody it before asking Nigerians to do the same,” she stated.
Ezekwesili, who also served as Minister of Solid Minerals, attributed the nation’s persistent electricity crisis to the flawed privatization of the power sector.
She argued that instead of resolving energy challenges, the process handed control to politically connected individuals with little expertise.
“The entire privatization exercise in that sector was compromised. It became a playground for political gladiators and unserious players,” she said.
Emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in the 2027 elections, Ezekwesili urged Nigerians to learn from the controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections.
She alleged that the judicial system has been compromised, making it difficult for the electorate to seek justice.
“We all saw the irregularities of 2023, and their response was, ‘go to court.’ Why? Because they have taken control of the judiciary. Nigerians must decide that this country is worth saving,” she added.