‘Unprecedented Hardship’ – Ex-Minister Warns Of Anarchy If Tinubu’s Policies Persist

Former Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Nduese Essien, has cautioned the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to reassess its policies, warning that escalating hunger and poverty could lead to civil unrest.

In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, Essien criticised recent government economic policies, noting that these measures have intensified poverty and inflation, leaving millions of Nigerians struggling.

He pointed to the rapid removal of fuel subsidies as a key factor in the current economic hardship, suggesting that while the intentions may have been positive, the outcomes have exacerbated public suffering.

“The level of suffering across the country is unprecedented, except perhaps during the Nigerian Civil War. Families are struggling to meet basic needs. The policies, while perhaps well-intentioned, are exacerbating poverty, increasing inflation, and hurting the most vulnerable among us,” Essien said.

Essien urged the Federal Government to strike a balance between reducing fiscal deficits and safeguarding citizens’ livelihoods, warning that continued inaction could spark social instability.

The former Minister underscored the importance of fiscal discipline and reducing the cost of governance but cautioned that “it is inhuman to continue down this path without a clear plan to ease the burden on the citizens.

“Our leaders cannot continue to fritter the commonwealth of the country recklessly and ask the people to make sacrifices.

“If urgent action is not taken to stem the hunger, poverty, and discontent in the country, we risk losing the patience of the people, and that could result in dire consequences.”

In his statement, Essien also expressed disappointment in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), describing it as a “symbol of corruption and wasted resources.”

As an advocate for the NDDC’s creation, he condemned the Commission for veering from its mission of uplifting the oil-rich Niger Delta, alleging billions of naira have gone into projects that have yielded little impact.

“The NDDC, which was designed to be an engine of development for the oil-rich Niger Delta, has tragically become a symbol of corruption. Billions of naira are poured into endless regional master plans, stakeholders’ engagements, media campaigns, and infrastructure projects that never seem to materialise or make any significant impact on the lives of the people,” Essien stated.

The former minister also criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited’s involvement in regulating the pricing of petroleum products from private refineries, specifically questioning its interference with Dangote Refinery pricing.

He argued that an institution that has failed to operate the nation’s refineries for decades should not be involved in the private sector’s operations.

Essien said, “It is unacceptable that an organization that has failed to manage the country’s refineries for over three decades should now meddle in the pricing of products from a privately owned refinery. The NNPC Limited is now a private entity in competition with Dangote Refinery. As such, it has no business regulating the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.”

Supporting the push for true federalism, Essien advocated for greater autonomy in regional development, noting that the establishment of commissions like the NDDC underscores the need for a federal structure that enables states to manage their resources.

He encouraged the government to consider the 2014 National Conference recommendations, which promote devolving development responsibilities to regional levels.

It is time for the federal government to look at the report of that Conference and ensure that the recommendations are implemented.

“The Niger Delta deserves better. Nigeria deserves better. It is only through honest dialogue and concerted action that we will achieve the development we so desperately need,” Essien added.

Call for Electoral Transparency and Judicial Reform

Essien also addressed electoral integrity, urging the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to mandate electronic accreditation and result transmission in local elections.

He criticised the lack of transparency in local government elections, noting that ruling parties often dominate these processes without fair competition.

“Nigeria may not survive another attempt at a flawed election,” Essien warned, adding that reforms are necessary to restore public confidence.

He also expressed concern over the judiciary’s increasing role in determining election outcomes, urging the Chief Justice of Nigeria to reinforce electoral justice.

“When a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA said he would not go to court to seek redress for an election he contested and believes was rigged, then we should be very worried,” he said, underscoring the need for the judiciary to remain impartial protectors of democracy and human rights.