A coalition of Nigerian civil societies has announced a mass protest for Wednesday, June 12, to highlight the severe hunger and hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to POLITICS NIGERIA, the groups participating in the protest include the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB), African Action Congress party (AAC), Joint Action Front (JAF), Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Socialist Workers and Youth League (SWL), and PRP Vanguard.
In a joint statement titled “Enough is Enough to Hardship and Hunger, Great Nigerian People,” these organizations expressed their outrage over the rising prices of essential goods and services since President Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidies on May 29, 2023. They argue that the average Nigerian can no longer afford basic necessities such as food, transportation, electricity, and school fees.
The statement elaborated on the dire situation: “Hardly is any average Nigerian able to feed. We are hungry. Our children are hungry. Our youth are becoming criminals and prostitutes. Things are hard. Meanwhile, those who put us in this problem continue to feed on fat. President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the First Son have turned Nigeria’s commonwealth into their private feeding bottle.”
The coalition also criticized the high salaries and allowances of government officials, stating, “The governors, senators, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly members are collecting fat salaries and allowances. Their friends in business, like Aliko Dangote and other thieves, are also smiling to the bank. Yet they tell us to tighten our belts.”
The planned protest aims to draw attention to the economic policies that have exacerbated poverty and suffering among Nigerians, calling for immediate action to alleviate the hardship faced by the citizens.