Democracy Day: CSOs, others call on Tinubu to save Nigerians from poverty

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to save the country and Nigerians from the unleashed hunger and poverty.

Members of various pressure, advocacy and Human Rights groups under the umbrella of Osun Civil Societies Coalition in the morning embarked on a peaceful procession as part of the activities to celebrate the 31st anniversary of June 12 (Democracy Day).

Members of the coalition stressed the need for the Tinubu led Federal Government to as a matter of urgency address the worsening economic hardship that is creating more poverty and penury on Nigerians.

” It is unfortunate that MKO’s manifestoes which are provision of basic amenities and mass prosperity are still elusive 31 years after. Besides, the lessons and gains of the June 12 appeared to be missing at the corridor of power at all levels, making the Government to persistently take Nigerians for granted. Nigeria’s rulers across the divide appear to “have learned nothing and forgotten everything.”

“The removal of subsidy, increment in electricity tariff and devaluation of Naira have cast a shadow over the economic stability of Nigeria; and this is hampering productivity and killing Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, taking away the purchasing power of the Nigerian people, creating hunger, starvation and skyrocketing foodstuffs  and essential commodities prices, among other woes. The worse of the agonies is the ongoing food crisis where staple foods have been priced out of the reach of the common people.”

Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of the coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal said that Nigerians deserve the best and not what is being witnessed currently in the country.

According to Lawal, “Government should brace up to give us the best, they should bring the best out of them. Late MKO Abiola promised farewell to poverty 31 years ago, Tinubu promised renewed hope 2023, but what are we experiencing today, are we having renewed hope now? Nigeria people elected you to work for them to make their life more meaningful and you should work hard to make this happen.”

Also speaking, Chairman of Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Osun State chapter, Emmanuel Olowu charged the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to continue to challenge the Federal Government on the N265,000 minimum wage for Nigeria workers.