PRESIDENT TINUBU: THE GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Nigerians have been ushered into the new year with pomp. Those who survived the excruciating cost of living, insecurity and galloping inflation last year have a story to tell. Year 2023 was an election year. Nigerians went to the poll and elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the country in the next four years. The presidential election was won by Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling party. Tinubu’s victory was followed by fierce legal battle. His opponents; Atiku Abubakar of PDP and Peter Obi of LP had challenged his victory up to supreme Court. At last, the pendulum finally swung in his favour. The apex court dismissed the case instituted against him by the opposition candidates and affirmed his victory. The Tinubu administration which came on board on 29 May, 2023 amidst highest expectations was faced by numerous problems inherited from its predecessor.
It is no surprise that during his inauguration speech, President Tinubu announced the removal of petroleum subsidy. In addition, the president unified the forex exchange rate. With the announcement of these new policies, Nigerians started to feel the brunt. The cost of living suddenly jumped up. To cushion the effect, the Tinubu’s administration in 2023, promised to pay palliatives of N25,000 to 15million Nigerians for period of three months. The government made similar promise to civil servants. It agreed to pay N35000 wage award for some months beginning from September. The million naira question begging for answer is: Has government fulfilled these promises? Civil servants who were grappling with cost of living and who put their trust on government received only in September.
Killing by bandits or non-state actors under the eight-month- old Tinubu’s administration is taking a dangerous dimension. Though, the government inherited the insecurity challenges from former the administration, the recent Tudun Biri bomb mishaps and the Plateau Christmas eve carnage pointed to a gory picture of senseless killings. The Tinubu government should develop a robust security measures to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. Government needs to change tactics on the ongoing war against banditry and other related crimes in the country. The militarization of bandits’ ravaged communities has failed to provide the desired outcome. The non- kinetic approach where communities are involved to tackle insecurity have proven more potent. There is the need for government to address the symptoms of insecurity. The menace of banditry in Katsina, Zamfara and kaduna was caused by cattle rustling, illegal mining and injustice. However, in Plateau and Benue States, the intractable crisis between Fulani herdsmen and native farmers arose largely due to the dispute over grazing lands. In the South-East, there is unknown gunmen laying siege, maiming and killing defenseless Nigerians. These arsonists are driven by secession agenda.
These deep-rooted malaise could be addressed through dialogue. Government should engage the non-state actors who take arms against the state to a constructive dialogue. In his new year message, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, promised to give Nigerian civil servants a living wage and fast track stable power supply. President Tinubu also promised to relieve any non-performing minister of his or her position. Mr President should go beyond mere talk and match his words with actions. With the economy south, insecurity and inflation threatening Nigerians, President Tinubu should fulfill his promises in other to achieve his much talked “renewed hope agenda”
Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State
