The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Obidient Movement don come hard for President Bola Tinubu administration, saying dem dey insensitive to the suffering of Nigerians. This one follow the comment wey Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, make say he no see the level of hunger and hardship wey people dey report across the country.
ADC, for statement wey dem sign through their National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, talk say Onanuga comment show the real thinking of the Tinubu government. According to the party, this one confirm say the administration don disconnect from reality for Nigeria.
The statement read: “ADC don condemn the recent comments by Onanuga, wey he claim say he no see the level of hunger and hardship wey Nigerians dey talk about. Those comments no be just insensitive; dem be startling admission of how disconnected the APC government don become from the realities of the people wey dem govern. When over 80 percent of Nigerians dey struggle to feed their families, pay school fees, afford transportation, and keep their businesses alive, e be extraordinary say a senior presidential spokesman go publicly suggest say the hardship somehow overstate or contrived.”
ADC add say the truth be say Nigerians no dey fake their suffering. The unprecedented cost-of-living crisis wey dey confront the country today na direct result of the ill-conceived and poorly executed economic policies of the Tinubu administration. Since this government come to power, many millions don enter acute poverty. Food prices don soar, transportation costs don multiply, the value of incomes and savings don erode, and millions of Nigerians wey dey manage before now dey trapped in economic distress.
According to the party, what make Onanuga comment particularly troubling be say e reveal a government wey don become tragically insular and no fit do anything different. A sensible government, e add, no dey measure the effect of its policies by only looking at the people within its immediate circle or driving through paved roads.
The Obidient Movement, for statement yesterday, also describe the remarks as insensitive and reflective of a growing disconnect between government officials and the harsh realities wey dey confront ordinary citizens across the country. The criticism follow Onanuga appearance on Arise Television, where he reportedly state say he no observe the widespread hunger wey many Nigerians dey report.
The Movement say the comment amount to a dismissal of the daily struggles of millions of citizens wey dey battle rising food prices, shrinking incomes, and worsening economic conditions. According to the group wey believe say dem be disciples of Peter Obi and his ideas, many households dey find am increasingly difficult to afford necessities, while businesses continue to grapple with high operating costs, exchange rate volatility and declining consumer spending. E argue say the country economic situation don deteriorate significantly over the years, pointing to the sharp depreciation of the naira and the rising cost of essential commodities as indicators of deepening hardship.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government don emphasize the need to encourage private sector investment for Nigeria agriculture domain, through a blended finance framework wey go help mitigate risks associated with agribusiness investments. Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund, Mohammed Ibrahim, tell newsmen say: “Agriculture be fundamental to Nigeria food security, job creation, industrial development, export capabilities and overall prosperity. Relying solely on public capital no go suffice to finance the transformation of Nigeria agriculture sector.”
Ibrahim note say discussions with stakeholders for 2025 highlight say, although there be substantial pools of capital available within the financial system, including development finance and concessional funding, the actual investment in agribusiness remain constrained due to issues related to risk assessment, investment structuring, and alignment with agricultural value chains. He state say the government long-term objective be to create a structured marketplace where capital providers, agribusiness operators, technical experts, and risk-sharing institutions fit collaborate more efficiently.
