Nigerians Hungry, Danger Looms----- Obi of Onitsha Tells Tinubu
The Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, has expressed deep concern to President Bola Tinubu, highlighting the severe hunger and death facing Nigerians. Speaking at the Ofala festival, the monarch urged the president to act swiftly before the situation spirals out of control.
Foremost Igbo traditional ruler, the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, has told President Bola Tinubu that Nigerians were facing acute hunger and dying in droves, noting that the situation had become uncontrollable.
The monarch spoke while marking this year’s Ofala festival in his palace at the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State.
His words, "Nigerians are hungry, Nigerians are dying, do something before things become uncontrollable."
He specifically referred to the escalating insecurity and parlous economic state of the country since Tinubu came into office on May 29, 2023, adding that, the country’s worsening state required urgent action to avoid a national catastrophe.
He specifically referred to the escalating insecurity and parlous economic state of the country since Tinubu came into office on May 29, 2023, adding that, the country’s worsening state required urgent action to avoid a national catastrophe.
He further noted that the last 12 months had been marked by increased uncertainty, following heightened insecurity and rising cost of living, occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.
Achebe cited the August 1- 10, 2024, “#Endbadgovernance,” across the country as pointer to the widespread dissatisfaction with the government's economic policies, stressing that, “The wellbeing of the polity has declined even more steeply in the last 12 months, leading to the 10-day national protest.
The top monarch further lamented the preponderance of business closures, job losses, and a general feeling of hopelessness that had become the case in the country, pointing out that despite Tinubu’s assurances of better future following his policies, the situation had worsened, as petrol prices continued to rise, alongside the depreciating Naira against the Dollar.
Achebe cited the August 1- 10, 2024, “#Endbadgovernance,” across the country as pointer to the widespread dissatisfaction with the government's economic policies, stressing that, “The wellbeing of the polity has declined even more steeply in the last 12 months, leading to the 10-day national protest.
The top monarch further lamented the preponderance of business closures, job losses, and a general feeling of hopelessness that had become the case in the country, pointing out that despite Tinubu’s assurances of better future following his policies, the situation had worsened, as petrol prices continued to rise, alongside the depreciating Naira against the Dollar.
He, however, expressed reservations that instead of addressing the bad situation, those protesting the ugly situation across the country were clamped down into detention and being prosecuted for treason.
Achebe, then, aligned himself with several individuals and organisations who have urged the government to address issues like reform, corruption, and the high cost of living, occasioned by increases in fuel prices, lack of food, infrastructural decline among other issues to tackle both the economic and security challenges in the country.
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