By Ezekiel David
Former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar has expressed deep concern over the escalating hardship faced by Nigerians, stating, “The hardship in the land is getting out of control.”
He highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that many struggle to afford basic necessities. “Everybody is crying… people cannot afford three square meals, the issue of transportation, the hike in fuel, the hike in school fees… is making life difficult,” he lamented.
Speaking Tuesday during a birthday visit by the leadership of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights (CDHR), General Abubakar was asked to support government action to combat the pervasive hunger. In addition to stressing the necessity of cooperation between the federal, state, and local governments, he promised to continue encouraging government actions to lessen the burden.
He revealed that a forum, to which he belongs, has submitted proposals to the federal government outlining strategies beyond mere palliatives. “Giving palliatives is not the answer to the high prices of food,” he explained, suggesting government intervention in the food market. “There is a need for government to… buy food and sell it at lesser prices,” he proposed, hoping for implementation.
Addressing the planned #Endbadgovernance protest, General Abubakar appealed for peaceful demonstrations, cautioning against a repeat of previous violence and looting. “If at all we are going to demonstrate… let us not inflict hardship on fellow Nigerians.” He urged the government to heed the protesters’ grievances, stating, “You cannot beat a child and prevent it from crying.”
Earlier, the delegation conveyed birthday wishes to General Abubakar and requested his support for their initiatives, particularly in promoting citizen participation in governance. They also drew attention to the hunger crisis, urging him to advocate for government action.
(Source: ThisDay)