Former Nigerian Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has expressed concerns over the country’s economic hardship, stating that it is “getting out of control.”
Abubakar stated this while receiving the leadership of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights, led by Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, who visited his uphill residence in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday.
He noted that many Nigerians struggle to afford basic needs like 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 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,” the elder statesman observed.
Gen. Abubakar disclosed that he belongs to a forum that had passed three recommendations to the federal government on the way out of the economic hardship, as giving out palliatives is not the solution to hikes in food and other commodities across the nation.
He suggested the government should provide affordable food options by buying and selling essential items at lower prices.
According to him: “There is a need for government to flood and saturate the communities with food, let them (government) buy food and sell it at lesser prices to the people so that people will try to buy some of these food items depending on their pockets and income.”
Abubakar also urged peaceful protests ahead of the planned #EndBadGovernance demonstration on October 1, recalling the violence and looting that marred previous protests.
He lamented: “During the last protest, we saw unnecessary, uncalled for carnage, theft and criminalities; instead of protesting, the people went about looting even private houses; private individuals suffered in the hands of the demonstrators.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Abdullahi Jabi, told the elder statesman that they were in his residence to rejoice with him on the celebration of his birthday, and prayed for long life and good health for him.
He also urged Gen. Abubakar to help prevail on the federal government to solve the problem of hardship and hunger in the land while soliciting his assistance for the implementation of some of its programmes.