The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, and the time has come for President Tinubu to take decisive action to address the widespread discontent and protests engulfing the nation. It is imperative that he steps forward to quench the flames of unrest by directly addressing the nation, acknowledging their grievances, and providing a clear path forward to restore peace and stability.

Certain individuals within the president's circle hold the belief that the opposition parties or those who were unsuccessful in the last election are fueling the protests against the president. Others posit that the protesters are simply impatient and hindering Nigeria's progress. Meanwhile, some argue that the president should not acquiesce to the protesters' demands, as this would be perceived as a sign of weakness.

It's essential that we engage in honest self-reflection and confront the reality of the situation. Do the agitators have a legitimate grievance? Or, to put it another way, is their demand reasonable and justified? The answer, unequivocally, is yes.

Although I concede that some of the demands may be idealistic or unworkable now, I strongly contend that a substantial proportion of them necessitate swift and decisive action. The pressing nature of these demands demands that we treat them with the gravity and expediency they warrant, lest we risk exacerbating an already volatile situation.

The opulent lifestyle of politicians is a source of immense frustration for the masses. While the president implores citizens to endure the current hardships, the political elite continue to live extravagantly, oblivious to the struggles of the common man. The allocation of billions for a new vice presidential residence, despite already budgeting billions for renovations to the existing one, billions budgeted  on a yacht, exotic cars for the president, and rumors of a new presidential jet, as well as billions more on vehicles for the first lady and other frivolous expenses, all while the masses suffer. Allocating billions naira to National Assembly members to purchase SUVs, a staggering 300% salary increase for judges, a move that raises eyebrows and sparks outrage. All these are egregious misallocation of resources. This is particularly galling given the country's burgeoning debt crisis and widespread hunger and these expenditures seem to contradict the president's initial claims of inheriting a challenged economy, and raise questions about the administration's priorities and fiscal responsibility.

The cost of governance in Nigeria has reached unprecedented heights, with a staggering increase that flies in the face of promises to reduce it. We are witnessing an all-time high in the number of ministers, with some ministries serving no purpose other than to duplicate existing ones. The indulgent culture of government officials is exemplified by their conveyances, which are often excessive and unnecessary. The plethora of aides, extravagant foreign jaunts, and other luxuries are a slap in the face to the struggling masses. 

To genuinely lead by example, the government must take drastic measures to slash its own profligacy. This includes making significant cuts to the salaries and allowances of both legislative and executive officials, demonstrating a willingness to share the burden of these trying times with the people. Anything less would be a betrayal of the public trust.

The political elite in Nigeria are utterly unwilling to make any sacrifices, instead, they insist on indulging in the finest luxuries while the common man is forced to bear the brunt of fuel subsidy removal, electricity tariff hikes, and exorbitant education and healthcare costs. The prices of foodstuffs have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, and the nation is plagued by rising insecurity, hunger and unemployment. 

Meanwhile, the EFCC seems more focused on going after yahoo boys than holding the real thieves accountable, as corruption and embezzlement of public funds have become normalized and even legalized. 

As I mentioned earlier, some of the demands presented are indeed unrealistic, and it is the responsibility of the president to engage in open and honest dialogue with the protesters, the masses, and the nation as a whole. Through this dialogue, the president must clearly explain why certain requests or demands cannot be met at this time, providing a thorough and transparent rationale for each decision. By doing so, the president can foster a deeper understanding among the populace, address misconceptions, and work towards finding alternative solutions that balance the needs and concerns of all stakeholders.

In my view, the demand for the return of fuel subsidy removal appears unrealistic for several reasons. Firstly, there is no allocation for subsidy payments in this year's budget, making it a financially unviable option. Secondly, reinstating subsidies would likely sound the death knell for local refineries, such as the Dangote refinery, and deter others from investing in building new ones. Thirdly, the subsidy regime has been notorious for being plagued by scams, benefiting only a select few wealthy individuals. While I understand that those advocating for the return of subsidies do so with the intention of alleviating the suffering of the masses, I strongly believe that there are more effective and sustainable solutions to address the current economic hardships.

In my opinion, the removal of fuel subsidies is a notable accomplishment of this administration, but it was marred by two critical errors. Firstly, the government should have developed and implemented a comprehensive and effective plan to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on the masses before taking the step. This would have helped to cushion the effects of the inevitable increase in pump prices and the resultant surge in the cost of living. Secondly, the administration's decision to entrust governors with distributing the gains of subsidy removal is baffling, especially considering the well-known history of mismanagement and corruption among many of them. 

The surge in food prices has sparked widespread agitation, and while the government has taken some token measures, such as removing import duties on select food items, these efforts are painfully insufficient. The harsh reality is that until the government confronts the pervasive security challenges, farmers will continue to flee their farms, leading to a severe shortage of food supplies and exorbitant prices. The mass exodus of farmers from rural areas to cities is a direct result of the government's failure to ensure their safety, leaving them vulnerable to attacks and kidnappings. Imaging farmers has to pay a tax to bandit before they can harvest their crops. To address this crisis government should improve security.

Government must also adopt a multifaceted approach to promote agriculture, including providing accessible loans, grants, training programs, and essential inputs like seeds and fertilizers. Moreover, the government should invest in modern farming machinery and establish state-of-the-art farm settlements across the country. Attractive policies are needed to entice young people to take up farming, and the government must recognize that agriculture is evolving from small-scale subsistence farming to large-scale commercial production, requiring a corresponding shift in policy support.

The pervasive insecurity plaguing Nigeria demands immediate and decisive action, as it has become a significant obstacle to the nation's progress. While increasing personnel numbers is a necessary step, it is grossly inadequate to address the complexities of Nigeria's security challenges. Our leaders must summon the political will and courage to declare war on the beneficiaries of insecurity, including both military and civilian individuals who profit from chaos and terror, as well as those who finance these nefarious activities. A comprehensive approach is required, encompassing border security, enhanced intelligence gathering, deployment of cutting-edge security technology, proactive strategies, modern counter-terrorism training and tactics, advanced drones, improved personnel welfare, training, and compensation, transparency in military budgets and expenditures, and the establishment of state police forces. Anything less would be a half-measured response to the existential threat Nigeria faces.

Allegations that protest organizers are faceless ring hollow when the protesters themselves are undeniably Nigerian citizens, with legitimate concerns and grievances. Rather than dismissing their voices, the government should take a more constructive approach by engaging directly with the Nigerian people and addressing the pressing issues they've raised.

In summary, firstly, the government should provide clear explanations for why certain demands cannot be met now, offering alternative solutions where possible. Secondly, the government must take swift and tangible action to demonstrate its commitment to listening to the people, as effective leadership hinges on the ability to listen. 

Thirdly, the president must inform the public that certain demands, including the transition from a bicameral to a unicameral legislature, the implementation of minimum wages for legislators, the introduction of part-time legislatures, electoral reform, and the drafting of a new constitution to replace the 1999 version, necessitate meticulous planning, widespread consultation, and constitutional amendment. It is the government's responsibility to communicate these complexities and timelines to the public. 

Furthermore, this administration has failed to establish effective communication channels with the masses, neglecting to regularly share government policies, achievements, plans, and situational updates, thereby exacerbating the sense of disconnection and mistrust.

Mr. President, the time for action is now. The nation is on edge, and it is imperative that you address the growing unrest and protest sweeping across the country. The people are crying out for relief, and it is your duty to respond. The flames of frustration and anger are burning bright, and it is your duty to quench them. The nation holds its breath, waiting for your leadership and guidance. Every moment counts, and every word matters. Rise to the challenge, Mr. President, and deliver the reassurance and solutions that the people so desperately need. The fate of the nation hangs in the balance, and your prompt action is the only antidote to the rising tensions and unrest. 

Together we shall build a nation where peace and justice shall reign. God bless Nigeria. 

Dr. Samuel Olanrewaju Bill.