The Nigeria’s Civil Society Situation Room has demanded the immediate return of President Tinubu to the country to dialogue with citizens on its policy direction and to fulfil his promises to implement interventions that will fix the country.
Special Assistant on Public Communications to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shuaibu, has said that the Federal Government is not a travel agency.
Convener of the CSO’s, Yaunusa’ Fa’u who made this demand yesterday in Abuja said Nigerians were confused as to the actual state of things with crude oil production and contracts as well as prices of Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS.
He noted that the body was seriously concerned about the deteriorating living conditions in the country and the general state of affairs
According to Ya’u, Nigeria is getting worse off by the policies of the Federal Government and the positions of the presidency on several issues, adding, “It is a big concern that the government appears not bordered about the consequences of the policies on ordinary citizens.
He noted that the body’s worry is that if urgent remedial actions are not taken by the government the situation could lead to further despair among citizens and disorder in the society.
“The country’s economy is in bad shape and facing a galloping inflation problem, occasioned by poorly thought- out policies such as the simultaneous deregulation of the oil sector and the foreign exchange, and failure to implement a planned remedial actions by the government.”
Tinubu had announced a two-week vacation when he travelled to the United Kingdom recently, a situation that generated heated debate about his abandoning the country in a time of all-round economic turmoil.
However, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that his principal should not be stopped from enjoying his private time.
Onanuga stated: “President Tinubu is on leave for two weeks. He is not restricted to the UK. It is his private time. He can go anywhere he desires. He is still observing his leave.”
However, Shuaibu on his X handle lampooned Onanuga describing his comments as insensitive considering the recent economic situation in the country.
“Onanuga needs help,” Shuabu remarks in his response to the Presidency’s statement signed by Onanuga.
He added, “The President is on vacation and can set off to anywhere his heart desires, because apparently leadership is like a Netflix subscription which you can pause whenever you please.
“While Nigerians grapple with fuel price hikes, inflation, insecurity and a crumbling economy, we are told not to worry because it is his private time…. This Onanuga of a boy needs help.”
He said Onanuga telling Nigerians that his principal can ‘go anywhere he pleases’ reeks of indifference as if the citizens are nothing but some inconsequential afterthought.
Guardian