Politics
By Tennyson Sampson
THE Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, welcomes President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech.
The CSJ stated in a statement that “while we appreciate the acknowledgment of the hardship faced by the Nigerian people, the speech failed to provide solutions to the most pressing issues facing Nigerians, such as the rising cost of living, the widespread insecurity, and the lack of basic infrastructure.”
It added that President Tinubu’s request for the ordinary Nigerians to sacrifice a little more for the survival of the country was not matched with unequivocal sacrifices to be made by the political and economic leadership of the country. “The present scenario where only the poorest of the poor and some segments of the middle class are asked to deepen sacrifice whilst the political class continues on the path of self-indulgence is not the way forward for economic regeneration.
“President Tinubu highlighted the removal of fuel subsidy as a necessary step to free up resources for collective use, which had previously been pocketed by a privileged few. While we understand the intention behind this decision, it is crucial to emphasize that the burden of sacrifice should be shared by all, including the leadership. Furthermore, concrete steps must be taken to ensure that the sacrifices made by the people are not in vain,” the CSJ said.
The CSJ urges the government to prioritize the welfare of the Nigerian people and implement immediate measures to provide relief and support in various aspects of their lives.
“We recognize the President’s promise to invest in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare, and other public utilities to improve the quality of lives. However, we stress the importance of translating these promises into actionable plans with clear timelines and effective implementation strategies. Nigerians need more than just assurances; they require tangible solutions that will alleviate their current suffering and provide them with hope for a brighter future.
“We call on President Tinubu and his administration to engage in open dialogue with civil society organizations, trade unions, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive and inclusive policies that prioritize the needs of the Nigerian people.
“Leadership should be by transparent examples where the followers see the leaders in the front line of sacrifice and contributions to economic growth and development,” the CSJ added.
Tags: President Bola Tinubu
