By Latiifah Amusan
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent speech failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians, leaving many disappointed.
The speech, which aimed to address the country’s economic challenges, was deemed out of touch with the reality of hardship faced by most citizens.
One glaring omission from the President’s address was any mention of plans to revive the country’s public refineries, which have been non-operational for years, causing significant pain with the ongoing subsidy issue.
Additionally, President Tinubu failed to unveil the identities of those behind the alleged looting of Nigeria’s funds under the pretext of petrol subsidy, leaving citizens unsatisfied with the lack of commitment to bringing these economic saboteurs to justice.
Furthermore, President Tinubu’s proposal to collaborate with Organised Labour to review the national minimum wage was seen as dissonant with the government’s actions since the removal of the so-called petrol subsidy.
Organised Labour expressed their concerns about the lack of tangible progress and negotiations on this matter, emphasizing the immediate impact of hyperinflation and suffering on workers due to the subsidy removal.
The President’s claims of providing interventions through palliatives, loans, conditional grants, and the provision of CNG buses were met with skepticism, as previous promises of such measures have yielded little change in citizens’ lives.
Critics also noted that the current government’s approach diverged from their own stance in 2012 when they emphasized the importance of addressing core issues, such as refinery repairs and accountability for subsidy-related corruption.
However, these crucial topics were conspicuously absent from President Tinubu’s speech, prompting questions about the change in approach.
In response to the speech, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, asserted their commitment to continue advocating for real solutions that address the suffering endured by Nigerian citizens.
Until the government demonstrates sincere efforts to improve the situation and alleviate hardships, the Labour Congress remains steadfast in their struggle.
