The biting hunger and unnaturally rising price spiral in Nigeria instigated primarily by the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira are threatening to spark off seismic social vibrations across the country.
The spontaneous, hunger-induced eruption of seething communal anger in Minna over hunger in the land a few days ago, which inspired a massive protest by market women in Lokoja and smaller but nonetheless consequential protests by distraught citizens in Suleja, Kano, Osogbo—and counting— is a warning sign.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s swift order for the release of
“102,000 metric tons of various grain types from the National Food Reserve and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria”
to bring down the cost of food in the aftermath of these strings of protests suggests that he is aware of the danger that lies in the offing for him.
Had the current president been Muhammadu Buhari and not Bola Ahmed Tinubu, chances are that the worst that would happen amid the adversity people are going through now would be suppressed, barely audible murmurs. It’s because Buhari is a political cult leader with a firm grip on his followers who worship him and surrender responsibility for their lives over to him.Tinubu has no such appeal.