By Petrus Obi
Lest we forget, during the ENDSARS protest, some warehouses and Local government headquarters were attacked and palliatives which were meant for the masses, but never got to them, taken away by protesters.
Again, another palliative just like the story of school feeding in the past, and other failed government measures has cropped up.
We understand, the government is in a hurry to stop the protest. Yes, the protest will do more harm than good and the same masses would suffer it more. But how long will it take us to learn from mistakes of the past?
For one, the government itself knows that it’s almost impossible for this rice to get to the targeted destination, the masses. That is, if those handling the project will procure half of the numbers budgeted for. Are we no longer Nigerians?
This same government has spent billions of Naira on similar palliative in recent times; where there efforts to find out how those projects fared? We don’t have such time.
This is a ‘panic’ decision for fear of what the planned protest could lead to. It also exposes the government more. Thus, we ask again, who is the rice for? How many bags go to the Senators and House of Reps members, Ministers, Presidential Aides, Special Advisers, Ambassadors, Governors, Local Government Chairmen, Commissioners, the list is longer than the number of bags to be procured.
Not long ago the naira gained so much in such a short time that the government warned those hoarding the dollar to bring them out or lose their money. Another fire service approach that backfired.
Why are the people protesting?
From Onanuga, who is pointing accusing fingers at Peter Obi, to Senate President Akpabio who is blaming people that lost election, it appears the government doesn’t really know why the masses are on edge.
Those who seemed to know, and tried to speak out, like Senator Ali Ndume was removed from his position in the Senate.
Your Excellency Mr. President, in case you don’t know what the problem is, Everydaynewsngr.net can assist.
Your people are starving. The cost of food is out of the Common man’s reach. Fuel prices are on the rise and so is the cost of transportation.
In the midst of these, those in government continue to display affluence. Government body-movement also doesn’t show the pain of the people. An expensive residence for the Vice President may not be out of place but not the right time. Not when millions cannot put food on the table. These are part of the problems, your Excellency.
The people are hungry and they are not seeing signs of hope, signs of a better tomorrow.
Patronising people who voted and supported your emergence as President is not out of place but it mustn’t be to the detriment of the people.
Issues of Rivers Crisis and that of Kano Emirship tussle are also masses related and must be handled with caution. The people are waiting to see what happens to Governor Fubara when Assembly members openly decamped to the APC.
Your Excellency, it happened in Ebonyi State when former Governor, Dave Umahi joined APC with Assembly members. That Assembly never sat until the end of that tenure. The Court matter was tactically allowed to linger until that tenure elapsed. We cannot shift the goal post now. The people will say No.
We have seen a local government chairman openly insulting Fubara, can this happen in any other State? There should be a level playing ground for all. Injustices breed anger and could lead to protests.
Everyday News feels the government should rather bring together a think-tank of professionals to look into the problems and seek solutions. Let it not be another ‘government magic’ but a genuine attempt to correct some anomalies. Credible people who are selfless individuals with ability to study the situation and make recommendations to the government. Even the opposition could take part in this. That’s the way Nigerians will believe you have their interest at heart. Such recommendations and it’s implementation should be in public domain.
