Dr. Baba Adam, a former US leader of Pro National Conference Organisations, PRONACO and one of Nigeria’s prominent citizens in the US has written President Bola Tinubu to step up as a leader as #EndBadGovernance continues.
In a letter to Tinubu on August 2, Adam noted that the Tinubu administration inherited myriads of challenges from previous administrations and that tough decisions taken by the present government on fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rates have only led to hyperinflation in Nigeria.
The Borno-state politician noted that data from the state-owned National Bureau of Statistics puts food inflation at 40.87 per cent in June 2024.
“We understand you (Tinubu) inherited myriads of challenges from previous administrations and you dare to make tough decisions such as the removal of the highly corrupt fuel subsidy regime, the unification of the multiple exchange rates, etc, Adam said.
“With the above said the Nigerian people are experiencing extremely undue hardship especially hyperinflationary effects on food prices, high fuel prices, increase in electric tariff, etc. Now this mess is your mess, also an asterisk on your legacy that one of the worst protests happened in your administration,” he added.
Adam noted that the Nigerian government effort to combat poverty has not been effective. “Palliative was promised with the removal of the fuel subsidies but has yet to reach the people. Today many state governors’ monthly Federal Account Allocation (FAAC) allocations have significantly increased but the effects are not felt by many in their states. As you know the All Progressives Congress (APC) controls 20/36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“We understand the constitutional rights of people to protest and assemble. Over the years you have participated in many protests and demonstrations. All the court orders, paid counter-protestors, and deployment of security services are not productive.
“The tragedy of the loss of life both of the protestors and the police, the looting, arson, etc. sends bad optics around the world, especially to potential investors about Nigeria.
“Also, protests every day are estimated to cost the Nigerian economy over N350 billion which in three days will exceed over a trillion naira plus the net impact is making the already multi-dimensional poverty mess that affects 63% of Nigeria even worse.
“The nation is in deep crisis. Now is the time for leadership. We are hereby asking you to address the nation immediately. Your administration must engage with the protestors even though they claim to be headless. While at it, we recommend that government at all levels look at the protestor’s demands and make an honest effort to address them,” Baba Adam added.
