President Tinubu has come under fire over the worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria leading to stampedes and death.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Civil Society Organisations have blasted President Bola Tinubu’s Government over the worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria, leading to various deaths as a result of stampedes during palliative sharings.
This Nigeria news platform understands that the CSOs condemned the alarming state of hunger and desperation in Nigeria, emphasising the devastating impact of poor governance and an inadequate response to rising poverty levels.
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A statement issued by the executive director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), head of Transparency International-Nigeria and Transparency Monitoring Group (TMG), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the government must do something urgently.
Reacting to the tragic stampedes that claimed dozens of lives across the country during food distribution events, Rafsanjani described the incidents as heartbreaking reflections of the severe hardship Nigerians are enduring.
“This is a clear indication that Nigerians are facing very difficult times under this administration,” he said,
“Unfortunately, the government appears detached from the realities on the ground and has failed to take the necessary steps to address a situation they helped to escalate. While these tragic incidents have been reported, many more may be occurring unnoticed as people are desperately hungry.”
“These incidents are avoidable but highlight the depth of hunger and deprivation in our society, The government must urgently adopt measures to address food insecurity, create jobs, and alleviate the suffering of the people,” Rafsanjani added.
He further stated that the escalating insecurity in the country had exacerbated this crisis, as many farmers are unable to cultivate crops due to persistent banditry and violence, leading to reduced agricultural production.
“The Tinubu administration must prioritise securing the nation and revitalising the agricultural sector. State and local governments must also play an active role in encouraging agricultural activities to curb rural-urban migration and reduce unemployment.
The CSOs urged federal and state governments to prioritize policies that tackle poverty and inequality while ensuring the safety and dignity of citizens during public aid and relief programs. The organisations also called for improved planning and coordination during such events to prevent further loss of life.
Rafsanjani noted that the tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder of the growing desperation among Nigerians and the urgent need for effective and compassionate governance to address the challenges facing the nation.
Nigerians blame Tinubu’s government
Irked by the three tragic events that happened in rapid succession, concerned Nigerians on Saturday berated the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of imposing hardship on the people.
They attributed the incidents to the untoward economic downturn bedeviling the nation at the moment.
Nigeria is in trouble – Sowore
Human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore said in a chat with DAILY POST that the three incidents showed that “Nigeria is currently in trouble”.
He said Nigerians have not been the same since President Tinubu took over power on May 29 2023, stressing that the “debilitating economic destruction” by the current administration caused the stampedes.
He urged “Nigerians to be ready for revolution if they want to take their country back”.
Tinubu turned Nigeria into massive grave – Aisha Yesufu
A socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu while reacting to the unfortunate incidents, accused President Tinubu of turning the “whole of Nigeria into a massive grave.”
In a post on her X microblogging platform, the Labour Party chieftain opined that Tinubu should be held responsible for the ugly developments.
She wrote: “Godswill Akpabio will dare come and tell us that president Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transformed Abuja and other Nigerian cities to London.
“Tinubu has turned the whole of Nigeria into a massive grave.”
It’s sign of gravity of economic distress in Nigeria – Ezekwesili
Also speaking on the matter, former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, said that the recurring stampedes signaled the gravity and scale of economic distress in the country.
Ezekwesili maintained that “Nigerians have become victims of widespread food poverty, especially among low and peripheral middle income families.”
In a post on her X handle, she wrote, “My heart cries out for the families of victims of the 3 stampedes that occurred during charity food distribution events in Ibadan, Okija in Anambra State and Abuja.
“Nothing in recent times has signaled the gravity and scale of economic distress in our land than these similar tragedies in a season of celebration”.
My heart bleeds – Peter Obi laments
Also reacting, the 2023 Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, expressed sadness, stating that Nigerians were desperately in search of survival due to the harsh economic situation.
In a statement, Obi lamented that despite the fertile lands, Nigeria is unable to feed itself due to poor leadership.
“The desperate quest for survival in these harsh economic times has driven our people to extremes in their search for food, often at the cost of their lives.
“How do we explain that in a nation blessed with abundant resources, our people are dying of hunger in such numbers? How is it possible that we cannot feed our citizens despite the vast, fertile lands our nation is endowed with? My heart bleeds”, he said.
