Dear Buoda Bayo Onanuga,
Your recent press statement responding to The Guardian’s story, RE: Call for Military Intervention: Misery, Harsh Policies Driving Nigerians To Desperate Choices, raises significant concerns about the administration’s approach to the deep-seated hardships that Nigerians are currently facing.
While you reeled out statistics indicating an improved economy, these figures appear to have little impact on the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerians. Simply put, the numbers you cited do not translate to food on the table for the millions suffering from rising prices, inflated costs of living, and diminishing incomes.
A harsh reality grips Nigeria today, where the price of basic food items, like a bag of rice, has skyrocketed to nearly ₦120,000—a staggering increase that has made rice, a staple in many Nigerian households, unaffordable for the majority.
Alongside this, the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) continues to surge, affecting not only the cost of transportation but also the prices of essential goods and services. The rising costs are unrelenting, and Nigerians find themselves trapped in an economic crisis that worsens daily.
Despite the government’s statistical highlights, the reality remains bleak, as citizens struggle with these persistent hardships.
Your dismissal of The Guardian’s story as incitement disregards the anguish that has spurred some Nigerians to consider drastic solutions. You criticized the media’s portrayal of the government, yet you neglected to address the specific and genuine grievances that Nigerians feel.
Take, for example, the continuous hikes in electricity tariffs. As the cost of electricity rises, so does the cost of living, leaving Nigerians to grapple with basic needs such as powering their homes and running small businesses. This adds to the cumulative frustration of a populace that feels neglected and marginalized by the very leaders they elected to protect their interests.
Furthermore, the escalating fees in tertiary institutions compound the struggle for Nigerian families. Education—a crucial pathway out of poverty—is increasingly slipping beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. Many families, already burdened by inflation and exorbitant living costs, now find it challenging to afford higher education for their children. The government’s promise of a prosperous future sounds hollow when the path to that future—education—is becoming an unattainable dream for so many.
Small businesses, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, are similarly crumbling under this pressure. Rising fuel prices, high electricity costs, and declining purchasing power have left many small enterprises with no choice but to shut down. The administration’s policies, however well-intentioned, have not trickled down to provide relief or support to these struggling businesses. When small businesses close their doors, unemployment rises, and more Nigerians are left without a means to support themselves and their families. These are not just economic statistics; they represent the real lives and struggles of Nigerians across the country.
Your defense of the administration seems indifferent to the lived experiences of Nigerians. You cited data on foreign reserves, GDP growth, and trade surpluses, but these figures mean little to families who cannot afford a basic meal or pay their electricity bills. You opined that The Guardian’s reporting is irresponsible and destabilizing, yet the article merely highlights the reality of hardship and desperation experienced by Nigerians.
Suppressing critical voices in the press will not alleviate the hardships Nigerians face. The administration’s attempts to gag the media reflect an unwillingness to confront uncomfortable truths. A free press is a cornerstone of democracy, allowing citizens to voice their grievances and hold leaders accountable. By stifling the media that report on the real issues affecting Nigerians, the government is effectively dismissing the legitimate concerns of its people.
Your criticism of The Guardian’s discussion of military rule is misguided. The story did not advocate for a return to military governance but rather reflects the frustration that has driven some Nigerians to consider it as a potential alternative. This reaction is not rooted in a romanticized view of military rule but is instead an expression of despair with the current state of governance. The Guardian’s story is a mirror to society’s current mood—an urgent call for the government to recognize and address the harsh realities facing the people.
The response from the government should not be to chastise the media for highlighting these concerns but to take tangible actions that address the suffering of Nigerians. Instead of issuing statistics that seem disconnected from daily life, the administration needs to prioritize policies that alleviate these burdens. Economic growth indicators are meaningless if they do not translate into improved living conditions for the average Nigerian.
Your statement that “we need our people and the media to rally around the government” misses the point entirely. Unity cannot be achieved through calls for blind loyalty or by silencing criticism. True unity is forged when citizens see that their government is actively working to alleviate their hardships, listening to their concerns, and implementing policies that provide real, immediate relief.
To move forward, the administration must shift its focus from merely defending its record to making tangible improvements that Nigerians can feel. The people want to see real, actionable changes: reduction in the cost of fuel, accessible education, affordable electricity, and policies that support small businesses. Nigerians are not asking for miracles; they are simply asking for relief from the unending cycle of poverty and inflation that has enveloped their lives.
The call for patience from President Tinubu, as echoed by you, sounds increasingly hollow to those who have patiently endured relentless economic hardship. Nigerians have displayed immense patience over the years, waiting for the promised “better tomorrow,” yet each passing day brings new struggles. If the administration genuinely wants to foster unity, it must prioritize the welfare of its citizens over its image.
To address these issues, the government could consider subsidies for essential goods, especially food items, or introduce measures to stabilize fuel prices. Reforming the electricity sector to make it affordable for ordinary Nigerians, as well as revisiting the fee structures in tertiary institutions, could significantly ease the strain on families. Additionally, establishing funds or low-interest loan programs to support small businesses would go a long way in revitalizing the economy from the ground up.
In conclusion, the statistics you presented fail to resonate with a populace grappling with daily survival. A government that truly cares for its people must listen to them, not silence their frustrations. Nigerians deserve a government that not only speaks of progress but also delivers it in tangible ways that directly impact their lives. The administration’s call for unity and patience must be accompanied by actions that demonstrate a genuine commitment to alleviating the hardships faced by Nigerians. Otherwise, the rhetoric will continue to ring hollow, and the gap between the government and the people will only widen.
Ire o.
Akinwole Olowe writes from Idito, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Your blog post was the perfect blend of informative and entertaining. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the screen!
Great content, thanks for sharing your knowledge.