For an especially sensitive topic of this nature, I expected some reactions. But I was not prepared for the comments and phone calls which came in torrents such that at some point my handset became so hot I had to temporarily shut it down as a precaution.
Some of the comments were inane, abusive and even threatening. Some were nuanced and conveyed their feelings objectively without sentiments. And some, though not in agreement with me, made their points reasonably with which I had no problems.
As the comments were coming in thick and fast, the dire economic situation foisted on the country by President Tinubu’s ill-considered economic policies was getting worse by the day. For the whole of last week long fuel queues surfaced around the country with the prices getting stratospheric if you can get the stuff. I bought a litre of fuel for N900 at a filling station in Abuja after spending about five hours in a long queue.
The naira parity to the dollar was plummeting by the hour reaching as low as N 1,400 to the greenback. The inflation rate, according to statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics, is climbing up to 34 per cent. This is a clear indication that the interest rate policy introduced recently by the Central Bank of Nigeria intended to curb inflation has not been effective.
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For all practical purposes, this confirms manifestly the total failure of the President Tinubu economic policies which were introduced without a comprehensive plan to guide it along. The rising fuel prices show that the withdrawal of subsidies has failed. And after almost depleting our foreign reserves to artificially prop up the naira, the currency is back to its normal default settings. This again indicates that the hare-brained decision to float the naira has exploded on the faces of the administration. And the assumption that the galloping inflation can be tamed by raising interest rates has proven to be a mirage. Long-established companies in the country like PZ are following the footsteps of others like Smithkline Beecham in folding up and leaving the country citing a combination of all the above factors as reason.
Across the country, medium and small businesses which had formed the basis of liquidity and sustenance of millions of Nigerians are folding up rapidly leading to bankruptcies and unemployment.
But President Tinubu’s reaction to this was typically insensitive and pathetically hubristic. In the Netherlands, on a visit, his statement was that he would continue the punishing policies despite the outcry of Nigerians. A humane president sensitive to the suffering of his people would, first of all, accept responsibility for the failure of his policies, offer words of consolation and seek to tamper or tweak some of the harsh policies. In other words, President Tinubu could not care less about the unprecedented suffering and hardship he has brought on Nigerians with policies that are apparently above his ken. So where is the ‘’renewed hope’’ that he promised Nigerians?’’
From the reactions to my articles, I perceived that truly President Tinubu’s administration has lost the confidence of majority of Nigerians. If the government goes ahead to remove subsidies further, as it is contemplating, then it will certainly be the final straw. Time is fast running out for the Tinubu administration to regain the confidence of the Nigerian people and if he chooses to continue in this trajectory the verdict of the people and of God will certainly not be long in coming.
These are some of the responses
Re: Time to tell President Tinubu: enough is enough
What are you calling for? Coup, civil disobedience or what? What are your solutions to the myriad of problems he inherited?
I am almost certain that you will not lift a finger if Tinibu (his spelling) were a northerner, and specifically from the ‘’CORE’’ North. Some of us are old enough to read between the lines anytime you “people’’ put pen to paper.
Dr Felix Faden, Jos, Plateau State
What is wrong with you northerners? Tinubu has not spent up to a year in office and you are disturbing him. Why must you always be in power? I know you are from Adamawa and an agent of Atiku and El-Rufai. Don’t you people have anything better to do? Bunch of lazy parasites.
Kamal Olajide, Ibadan
I voted for President Tinubu and I stood in a long queue under hot sun. But right now I am disappointed and full of regrets. The man just chose to start punishing us from day one for nothing as if he came for vengeance. Price of everything has gone up and is going up every day. What kind of wicked government is this?
M.I Terzungwe, Makurdi
Mr Journalist, thank you for telling President Tinubu the minds of Nigerian masses. He has surrounded himself with people who will not tell him the truth about the suffering and hardship in the country which was caused by him. If he continues like he is doing now people will rise against him and his government. We are tired. We cannot continue like this.
Ben Akhide, Benin
Yes Oga, what you said is correct. President Tinubu and his government are taking Nigerians for granted. Imagine waking up one day to discover that the government has increased the price of everything in the country without warning or discussion. Even soldiers did not do that. This is the government we voted for but look at how Tinubu is treating us. Do they want to finish us? Honestly, I support that the masses of this country should protest if President Tinubu does not change his policies.
Vincent Chukwu, Owerri
Kai Gadu! Always exposing the shenanigans and rats smelled. Bayo, Temitope, Abdul Aziz Abdul Aziz and Ajuri Ngelale no go leave you woooo!
Ismaila Yahya, Zaria, Kaduna State
I remember that President Tinubu sponsored and organised protests in Lagos which held at Ojota in 2012 when President Jonathan increased the price of fuel. I was in Lagos then and because of the protests I could not travel back to my base in Warri. I was stranded in Lagos for a whole week. When I eventually made it back to Warri, I was placed on suspension and half pay for the month all because of Tinubu.
Today, the same Tinubu has increased the price of fuel several times more than what Jonathan did and yet he is asking us to accept it. What an irony.
Freeman Okubo, Port Harcourt
Nigerians suffered under President Buhari for eight years with his nepotism, corruption and incompetence. You northerners did not say anything during that time. You even supported him. Now that Tinubu, a southerner, is in power and trying to correct the ills of Buhari, we must support him to put things right.
Victor Izuagbe Abuja
A masterpiece indeed. May the almighty God bless and reward you bountifully. You are no doubt a great development journalist and versatile gatekeeper and watch dog.
Yakubu Salisu, Yola
Yes, enough is enough indeed. What a beautiful article!!! May God continue to guide and bless you. More of such articles, please. You have exposed the insincerity and insensitivity of this Tinubu government with facts. Nigerians, as a whole, need to rise and protest against this government and its oppressive policies.
Samaila Alhamdu, Bauchi
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