Salihu Moh. Lukman, the immediate-past National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed concern over recent protests in Minna and Kano against the increasing cost of living, labeling it a wake-up call for the Federal government.
Lukman, a committed member of the APC, lamented that President Bola Tinubu’s “renewed hope agenda” seemed to be transforming into “renewed anger” among the populace, as reported by Vanguard.
In his criticism, Lukman condemned the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, for attributing the protests to opposition party sponsorship.
Lukman argued that blaming imaginary opposition parties was an attempt to deflect responsibility.
He highlighted the reality of hunger in the country and found Morka’s statement to be “dishonest” and a sign that the APC leadership had “completely lost it.”
“How can we be talking of opposition sponsoring protests in the strongholds of the APC? Both Minna and Kano are strongholds of APC.
“To suggest that any opposition party could mobilize citizens to protests against our government is already defeatist.”
Lukman questioned the logic of accusing opposition parties of sponsoring protests in strongholds of the APC, such as Minna in Niger State and Kano, the home state of the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
He stressed that these protests were “justifiable” responses to the hardships faced by Nigerians and warned that if unaddressed, they could spread across the country rapidly.
“As it is now, the renewed hope agenda of our party has been floated. Like the Naira exchange rate, Renewed Hope is being exchanged for Renewed Anger. The value is becoming more and more provocative to citizens.”
Expressing disappointment, Lukman criticized the APC’s response to the protests, comparing it to the politics of military dictatorship.
He called for the initiation of strategies to “mobilize all governments controlled by the APC to coordinate responses” to citizens’ democratic demands rather than criminalizing the protests.
Lukman cautioned that ignoring these protests could jeopardize the APC’s “renewed hope agenda,” as citizens’ frustration turns into “renewed anger.”
The former APC national vice chairman urged urgent action from President Tinubu to address the escalating economic challenges facing Nigeria.
He expressed concern over the recent protests in Minna and Kano, emphasizing that appeals for patience may be futile, given the pressing survival challenges and deteriorating security situation in the country.
“At this rate, all appeals for patience may be simple waste of time given the challenge of survival.
“Already complicated by worsening security situation in the country so much that Abuja, the Federal Capital has also become unsecure, it is in our enlightened interest both as a party and as Nigerians to put pressure on President Asiwaju Tinubu to do the needful by putting in place immediately a clearly defined economic policy to resolve the situation,” he stated.
He emphasized the urgency of a government response within less than a year of President Tinubu’s administration, particularly addressing the skyrocketing prices of goods and services, especially food items.
Lukman highlighted the alarming trend where Nigerians encounter higher prices for the same products within short intervals, signaling the impact of decisions taken by the Tinubu-led government.
“Recall that as far back as August 2023, about four months into the tenure of the current government, I had cause to draw attention to some disturbing signals in an open letter to President Asiwaju Tinubu,” Lukman recalled.
He emphasized previous concerns regarding the withdrawal of the petroleum subsidy without clear initiatives for local production and the decision to float the Naira’s exchange rate without a corresponding economic policy.
“The protests in Minna and Kano confirm the validity of the concerns raised as far back as August 2023.
“Sadly, six months after those concerns were raised, the situation is only getting worse as prices of food items are beyond the reach of most Nigerians,” Lukman declared.
While acknowledging reports that the Federal Government is not ignoring the protests, Lukman raised concerns about whether the government will respond decisively by implementing a clearly defined economic policy.
He stressed the necessity of addressing subsidy withdrawal and floating the exchange rate as integral parts of broader economic plans.
“Once government is unable to settle these issues, it is predictable that the cost of living will continue to go up.
“Once prices of necessities are beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians, citizens will respond in the streets to compel our leaders to do the needful.
“This is the value of democracy,” Lukman stated, highlighting the crucial role of citizen participation in democracy to hold leaders accountable.