Former military Head of State,
General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has expressed concern over rising food
prices in the country and warned that things are “getting out of control” under
the Bola Tinubu administration.
He said this during a meeting
with the leadership of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights, led by
Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, at his residence in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday.
Gen. Abubakar said due to
economic hardship, many families are struggling to afford necessities such as
food and transportation.
“Everybody is crying about this
hardship, and it seems to be getting out of control. People cannot afford three
square meals,” the elder statesman lamented.
He further spoke on the rising
cost of fuel, and school fees, amongst others, which he said was exacerbating
the situation.
“The issue of transportation,
the hike in fuel, the hike in school fees for the children, and the lack of
funds in everybody’s pocket is making life difficult for everybody,” he added.
Abubakar disclosed that a forum
he belongs to has proposed three key recommendations to the federal government in
a bid to address the crisis.
He added that palliative
measures alone would not solve the problem, and urged the government to instead
focus on providing affordable food options.
“There is a need for the
government to flood and saturate the communities with food. Let them buy food
and sell it at lesser prices to the people, so that people can afford these
essential items based on their income,” he suggested.
Speaking on plans to resume the
#EndBadGovernance protest on October 1, Abubakar called for peaceful
demonstrations.
He recalled how violence,
looting, and criminal activities marred previous protests. He also urged
Nigerians to avoid a repeat of such unrest that saw private properties and
businesses targeted.
“During the last protest, we
saw unnecessary and uncalled-for carnage, theft, and criminalities. Instead of
protesting peacefully, people went about looting, even private houses. Private
individuals suffered in the hands of the demonstrators,” he said.
In his remarks, Abdullahi Jabi,
leader of the visiting delegation, congratulated Gen. Abubakar on his recent
birthday and prayed for his continued good health and long life.
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