Salihu Lukman, a former national vice chairman (North-west) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has voiced his concern over the transition from hope to frustration under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Reports emerged on Monday, February 5, 2024, highlighted protests in Minna, Niger State, and Kano, Kano State, as citizens vented their grievances against the escalating cost of living.
In a statement from Abuja, Lukman underscored the urgency for the government to address the alarming reality of skyrocketing prices of goods and services, particularly essential food items.
He recalled raising similar concerns in August 2023, only to witness the situation deteriorate further, with food prices spiraling out of reach for many Nigerians.
Lukman, expressing disappointment as an ardent APC member, lamented the erosion of the party’s “renewed hope” agenda, likening it to the depreciating value of the Naira against citizens’ rising anger.
“There are gory tales of Nigerians going to the same markets within short intervals of less than 24 hours encountering higher prices for the same quantity of products. These are predictable realities triggered by conscious decisions taken by the government of President Asiwaju Tinubu.
“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.
“The protests in Minna and Kano confirms 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 reach of most Nigerians. If the truth must be told, there is hunger in the land! As a committed member of APC, it is very depressing that this is happening under the leadership of our party.
“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.
“At this rate, all appeals for patience may be simple waste of time given the challenge of survival,” the APC chieftain said.
Amidst the prevailing challenges, Lukman cautioned against dismissing Nigerians’ legitimate grievances and urged APC leaders, especially President Tinubu, not to overlook the harsh living conditions caused by government policies.
He emphasized the importance of acknowledging and addressing these issues, warning that appeals for patience may fall on deaf ears amidst the struggle for survival.
In his final plea, Lukman calls on APC leaders to resist the temptation to criminalize citizens’ grievances and reflects on the need to confront these challenges head-on, regardless of past affiliations or backgrounds.
“Under no circumstances must our leaders imagine that because they are today’s rulers, unacceptably harsh living conditions caused by clear policy choices of our government should be tolerated.
“These were the same issues we rose against under the military and during the tenure of PDP between 1999 and 2015. Perhaps, if the truth must be told, if it were during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, many would rationalise it given his military background,” he added.
