By Bolaji Peters (SIWES student, Polytechnic Iresi)
Traditional leaders alongside the Nigerian Bar Association voice apprehensions regarding the escalating cost of living and food inflation within Nigeria.
They advocate for governmental intervention and urge against the removal of fuel subsidies.
Concurrently, President Tinubu is slated to convene with state governors today to explore remedies for the nation’s economic turmoil.
While specifics of the meeting remain undisclosed, the focus is anticipated to revolve around bolstering the economy and mitigating citizen hardships.
Confirmation from two Presidency officials affirms President Tinubu’s scheduled deliberation with state governors on Thursday to address Nigeria’s economic predicament.
The meeting precedes the President’s departure for Ethiopia to attend the African Union assembly.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State and an aide to Governor Idris of Kebbi State corroborate the meeting’s occurrence.
Although details remain elusive, it is evident that the President and governors aim to revitalize the economy and alleviate inflation’s toll on Nigerians.
This gathering transpires shortly after Peoples Democratic Party-affiliated governors likened Nigeria’s economic state to that of Venezuela, amidst hyperinflation and its ensuing ramifications of starvation, disease, crime, and elevated mortality rates.
In response, the Presidency censures the governors for their failure to remit salaries, pensions, and adhere to the N30,000 minimum wage.
Protests have erupted across Nigeria in reaction to the soaring cost of living, with citizens in Niger, Kano, Kogi, Ondo, and other states clamoring for economic solutions.
The Sultan of Sokoto cautions against misconstruing Nigerian citizens’ silence amid the nation’s challenges.
His admonition, voiced during a gathering featuring representatives from diverse groups such as the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Coalition of Northern Groups, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Department of State Services, underscores concerns regarding Nigeria’s economic state.
Traditional rulers present emphasize the urgency of addressing the economic crisis and advocate for immediate action.
Moreover, the Sultan of Sokoto underscores the imperative of job creation for the country’s youth, highlighting the perils of widespread unemployment and its potential to incite unrest.
He stresses the role of traditional leaders in assuaging tensions and underscores the urgency of resolving Nigeria’s challenges to avert further instability and violence.
