Chief Dr. Patrick Osagie Eholor, the Global President of One Love Foundation has asked the federal government to alleviate the hardship on Nigerians occasioned by the hike in the price of petrol.
Eholor, in a chat with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja wondered why government at all levels — including lawmakers have refused to cut down on the cost of governance amid hardship across the country.
He frowned at the level of corruption among the political class, saying: “It is saddening that at the point when Nigerians are suffering and are struggling to eat with an army of unemployed youths, our leaders are borrowing to buy expensive vehicles for lawmakers, while others are engaging in reckless expenses— like buying of yacht, perfumes and outrageous security votes.
“It has been excuses upon excuses from the APC government. I have been fighting for the same thing for decades, and today we are beginning to hear another excuses that the Tinubu government inherited a country in bad shape. What have they done to the accountant general who looted Nigeria dry?.”
Eholor said the government must take immediate steps to mitigate the suffering in the country.
Eholor said while it is understandable that difficult decisions need to be made to manage the nation’s economy, they must not increase poverty.
“While we acknowledge the complex and difficult decisions taken by the government to manage the nation’s economy, there is the urgent need to prioritise measures that will alleviate rather than exacerbate the existing poverty level and hardships of Nigerians. Nigerians are suffering; From the North to South, East to West, it is the same story everywhere. The president and his team must act fast. The state governors must act fast, the lawmakers must act now.
“This has placed an enormous burden on the already struggling masses, making it extremely difficult for them to afford the basic necessities of life.”
He recommended that the government should engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to explore sustainable solutions to the current situation.
