President’s speech overlooks fundamental concerns

SIR: In his first public comments since citizens took to the streets last week, President Bola Tinubu called for a suspension of protests against a cost of living crisis in the country, implores #EndBadGovernace, organisers for dialogue. Mr President acknowledged the protesters’ grievances and called for the immediate suspension of further demonstrations.  

In the address, Tinubu outlined various economic measures and initiatives his administration has undertaken in the past 14 months all aimed at easing citizens hardship caused by the economy policies of the administration. He said “N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted from our nano-grants. An additional 400,000 more nano-businesses are expected to benefit.  

Most of the grants intended to alleviate the suffering of the people are being diverted for personal gain. This practice not only undermines the federal government’s efforts to support the needy but also erodes public trust in these vital programmes. This practice not only undermines the federal government’s efforts to support the needy but also erodes public trust in these vital programmes. 

There is need for the president to explore alternative ways to distribute grants and palliatives directly to the intended beneficiaries. The bulk of these programmes are cornered by the governors, “Bypassing the governors is crucial for restoring faith in federal support programmes and ensuring that these resources serve the people as intended.

Let me make my humble view, in times of crisis, effective leadership is characterised by more than just technical solutions; it requires a deep understanding of and connection to the emotional state of the people. Leadership was not merely about policy implementation but about demonstrating a heartfelt connection to the victims and a determination to enact meaningful change. Abraham Lincoln navigated crises not just through policy but through an understanding of the emotional and psychological needs of their people. Lincoln’s ability to connect with the public’s suffering and articulate a vision for the future was instrumental in guiding the nation through the Civil War.

In contrast, President Tinubu’s address failed to connect on emotional level. The speech’s focus on detailing government policies and achievements, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the introduction of new foreign exchange systems, seemed disconnected from the immediate suffering of the citizens. While these policies may have long-term benefits, they do little to alleviate the short-term pain experienced by those struggling with soaring prices and economic instability.

One of the most critical shortcomings of President Tinubu’s speech was the failure to outline specific measures to address the immediate concerns raised by the protests. Effective crisis management often involves not just acknowledging the issues but also demonstrating a commitment to making meaningful changes. The President’s speech lacked any concrete plans to reduce the cost of governance, streamline administrative processes, or directly address the economic strains faced by ordinary citizens.

The current situation in the country is worrisome to any well-meaning citizens. Without any distortions of reality or an act to criticise your administration but the fact on ground that Life in Nigeria has become miserable for the larger population of Nigerians as the year 2024 was one of the hardest years Nigerians have ever undergone in recent years. Within 14 months the economic policies implemented by the  administration has triggered more economic hardship to millions of citizens one minute to have a reason to smile, the very next second, make them feel heartbroken. The Renewed Hope is increasingly turning into Renewed Frustration for citizens. The Million Household was dehumanised by the economic hardship.
 
Mr President’s speech seems to have overlooked the fundamental concerns driving the protests like insecurity in the Northern part of the country.  Last year, Nigeria was rated 144th position in the 2023 safest countries in the world ranking.  The yearly Global Peace Index ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness. The issue of insecurity in North has become something of grave concern to all  citizens, most of whom continue to wonder how the country and geopolitical zones arrived at such a dastardly situation where no one is safe; and worse still, rather than abate, the problem is escalating and now almost out of control.

The majority of the people in the North have expressed profound concern over President’s oversight in failing to mention the severe security situation plaguing the North-West and other parts of the northern region. As a result, many communities have been forced to abandon their farmlands, schools have been shut down, and livelihoods destroyed. Peoples are gravely concerned that the President’s recent speech failed to address these urgent issues or provide reassurance to the communities living in constant fear and uncertainty. 

Nigerians had high hopes for the President’s speech, would address the dire humanitarian disaster that criminal activities have brought upon our nation. The scale of the insecurity crisis is immense, with millions of our fellow citizens displaced internally, and hundreds of thousands of orphans facing hunger and malnourishment.

There is a need for the administration and its securities apparatus to take decisive action to address the root causes of the escalating violence and criminal activities. It is vital that the government demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing this humanitarian disaster and shows that it has the capability to lead the nation through this challenging time.

I  and other people of the Northern part of the country had expected the President to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and outline concrete plans for addressing these critical issues. The focus should have been on finding sustainable solutions to the crisis, prioritising the needs of the affected communities, and ensuring that necessary resources are allocated to support them. 

Let us not forget, when the poor have nothing more to eat they eat the rich. Nothing illustrates the dreadful and dire consequences of our situation, the misdirected situation of Nigeria particularly, in northern Nigeria, than the above quotation from the French political philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Abba Dukawa wrote from Abuja.