Taiwo Popoola
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to move around during the daytime, rather than driving alone in disguise at night to monitor the conditions of most citizens, as revealed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
HURIWA suggested that Tinubu would be better able to assess the suffering of Nigerians in the daylight when millions are awake and grappling with the devastating impact of poor governance and unworkable economic policies under his administration.
HURIWA gave this advice following Tinubu’s return to Abuja after a two-week working vacation in the United Kingdom over the weekend.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 7:20 p.m. on Saturday and was received by senior members of the administration.
It will be recalled that the President departed Abuja for the two-week working vacation on October 2 as part of his annual leave.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA expressed disappointment that the government is either doing nothing or taking the wrong actions to alleviate the harsh economic conditions millions of Nigerians are facing due to the constant upward review of the pump price of petrol.
The association challenged the president to actually move around during the daytime in various states of the federation and Abuja, visit markets, and compare the current costs of food commodities with those prior to his swearing-in on May 29.
HURIWA condemned the incessant hikes in the pump prices of petroleum products, including cooking gas, as well as the unaffordable costs of basic commodities.
The group criticized the government for failing to guarantee price stability of essential items such as provisions, food, and medications, stating that such a government cannot be considered a functional administration.
“If those in the Villa haven’t told the President, then let us have the honor of informing Mr President that a few days ago, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North in the National Assembly, claimed that President Bola Tinubu moves around the Federal Capital Territory most nights to feel the pulse of the citizens.”
HURIWA suggested that the best way for President Tinubu to truly gauge the economic conditions of most Nigerians is to move around during the daytime when almost every Nigerian who is working will be at their workplaces.
The group added that the best place to obtain an accurate picture of what Nigerians are going through is in the marketplaces, which operate only during the day and are frequented by the rich, the poor, and the less privileged for the buying and selling of goods and services.
“We suggest that President Tinubu visit Ariaria International Market in Aba, Dugbe Market in Ibadan, Calabar Central Market, Port Harcourt Market, Onitsha Main Market, Kano Central Market, and Oshodi Market in Lagos to obtain firsthand information about the current existential conditions of Nigerians.”
