By Awwal Umar Kontagora Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called on the federal government, under the leadership of Presiden...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called on the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to tackle the worsening hardship in the country, stating that palliatives are not a sustainable solution.
Abubakar made this statement on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State, while hosting a delegation from the Campaign for Democracy (CD), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO).
He expressed concern that the current economic difficulties seem to be spiraling out of control and emphasized the need for the government to implement effective measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens.
"Everyone is struggling due to the current hardship, and it seems to be escalating beyond control," he said. "People cannot afford three square meals. There are challenges with transportation, fuel price hikes, increased school fees, and a general lack of funds, making life extremely difficult for everyone."
Abubakar urged all levels of government—federal, state, and local—to take action to ease the economic hardship. He stated that simply distributing palliatives is not an adequate response to the high cost of living and the rising prices of essential goods across the country.
"The real solution is for the government to flood the market with food and make it available at reduced prices," he said. "If the government can buy food and sell it at subsidized rates, people will be able to purchase the items they need based on their income."
He also advised those planning to protest against the economic crisis on October 1 to ensure their demonstrations remain peaceful.
"For God's sake, if you decide to protest, do so peacefully," he said.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Comrade Jabi, conveyed the group's visit to congratulate the former head of state on his birthday. They prayed for his long life and good health.
Jabi also sought Abubakar’s support for the implementation of their programs, particularly in mobilizing Nigerians for active participation in governance. He highlighted the prevailing hunger and urged the former leader to advocate for government action to address the issue.
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