A group, the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria, IBBN, has said President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly members and their cronies, should stop living lavishly at the expense of the majority of Nigerians.
The group also called on the President to show sensitivity and leadership to the plight of ordinary Nigerians by leading in making sacrifices through cutting down on excessive government spending.
This was disclosed by the Convener of IBBN, Prophet Isa El-Buba, while briefing journalists in Jos, the Plateau State Capital on Monday.
He said, “I am calling on all of us, Nigerians, to continue with the demand and the pursuit for a better Nigeria in unity and solidarity- just like we have exemplified in the past four days here on the Plateau- with an unwavering commitment to non-violent resistance to injustice, corruption and lack of accountability.
“I like to commend us for four days of united and peaceful protests in Jos and across Nigeria, as we voiced our collective grievances and demanded for better governance. It’s more than gratifying that our assembly across the country, especially the #JosEndBadGovernanceProtest, has remained largely peaceful.
“Unfortunately, over 40 Nigerian people were massacred and several others injured in other parts of the country largely by security operatives and state-sponsored thugs in other states.
“We stand with them and our thoughts are with all of them for standing and fighting for a better Nigeria and a free nation where the President wouldn’t be greater than the rest of the country.
“Obviously, we have all succeeded in demonstrating that Nigerians are not and can never be slaves who will surrender their fundamental and democratic rights to anti-poor policies of self-serving, near tyrant regimes.
“However, let it remain abundantly known that we are against any form of violence and the vandalisation of government and private individuals-owned properties; as we go about demanding for change, we must guide this.
“Our hallmark remains non-violent resistance anytime, any day and everywhere.”
Speaking further, El-Buba said, “We go about our normal businesses in the cities pretending that all is well. Have we ever thought of all these people and wonder how they’re surviving?
“Like I said before, what will trigger trouble will shock and surprise everybody in Nigeria.
“The President, National Assembly members and other Nigerians and their cronies, cannot be living lavishly at the expense of the majority of Nigerians and preaching that the people should sacrifice for tomorrow. It doesn’t happen like that.
“Things are really bad in the country, no justice, no security, no food. It’s a very dangerous time we’re living in presently.
“Though a lot of holier than thou are saying Christians and churches should not be on the streets protesting. Well, who bears church members bills, and have we thought about how our church members survive on a daily basis?
“Shall we continue to lead them to pray that God will make a way for them, when we sincerely know that the system and structure of this country is what needs to be fixed, if not overhauled for there to come about a way?”
According to him, “We have heard President Tinubu’s Sunday 4th August 2024 self-praising speech about the protests by the Nigerian youth and people over the condition of hunger and hardship in the country which greatly failed to speak to the specific demands of protesters.
“Tinubu did not speak on reversing his horrible and devastating economic policies, he made no attempt to cut down government excessive spending on frivolities and over bloated cabinet of non-performing Ministers.
“Our demands simply remain: Mr. President should show sensitivity and leadership to the plight of ordinary Nigerians by leading in making sacrifices through cutting down on excessive government spending as well as cutting the cost of governance in Nigeria.
“Most especially on abolishing spending plans like expending N150 Billion for an Airbus A330 Presidential Jet, the allocation of N13.5 billion renovation of presidential villa, and or N7.3 billion for the purchase of state house cars and similar vexatious spending unbecoming of a President who wants poor Nigerians to show understanding and make sacrifices for harrowing hardship and penury brought about by same government’s policies.
“Mr. President should relieve his cabinet, non performing Ministers and bring on board a crack team of technocrats that would deliver on every sector so as to move Nigeria forward.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should reinstate a corruption free fuel subsidy regime to address hunger, starvation and poverty or empower Nigerian indigenous private/government oil refineries to locally access and refine crude oil in Nigeria to crash down the cost of exporting crude oil and importing petrol.
“With Nigeria’s status as a major oil producer, our country should have no business with perennial fuel scarcity with long queues at filling stations and harrowing prices which is impacting the cost of food, production, and transportation.
“President Tinubu should Support the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute high-profile corruption cases without hindrance, tackle looters as well as systemic economic sabotage in all government agencies.
“By tackling corruption, we can unlock Nigeria’s full potential, ensure equitable distribution of resources, and provide a better future for all our citizens.”
“To the indomitable Nigerian people, I call on all of us not to lose hope in our Nation. Let’s continue in one voice to fight for the liberation of our country.
“And until the President listens to Nigerians, our peaceful protests will continue. Here on the Plateau, it continues after the relapse of the one day curfew,” he stressed.
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