2024 And President Tinubu’s Promises -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Nigerians have celebrate the new year with pomp and pageantry. Those who survived the excruciating cost of living, insecurity and galloping inflation last year have a story to tell. It could be recalled, year 2023 was an election year. Nigerians went to poll and elected new leaders who would pilot the affairs of the country in the next four years. The presidential election was won by Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling party. Tinubu’s victory was followed by fierce legal battle. His opponents; Atiku Abubakar of PDP and Peter Obi from LP had challenged his victory up to supreme Court. At last,the pendulum finally swung in his favour. The apex court dismissed the case instituted against him by the opposition candidates and affirmed his victory. The Tinubu administration which came on board on 29 May, 2023 amidst highest expectations was faced by numerous problems inherited from its predecessor.

No surprising, during his inauguration speech, president Tinubu announced the removal of petroleum subsidy. In addition,the president unified the forex exchange rate. With the announcement of these new policies, Nigerians started to feel the brunt. The cost of living suddenly jumped up. The increase in the pump price of premium motor Spirit (petrol), led to corresponding increase in the price of good and services in the market. In 2023, inflation raised to all high 20%, since 2005. To cushion the effect of inflation, Tinubu’s administration in 2023,promised to pay palliatives of 25,000 to 15millions Nigerians for period of three months. The government made similar promise to civil servants. It agreed to pay 35000 wage award for six months beginning from September. The million naira question begging for answered is: Has government fulfilled these promises? For the 15 millions Nigerians,no one had received the palliatives as promised by government in 2023. The civil servants who were grappling with cost of living and put trust on government received only September.

Killings by bandits or non-state actors under the eight-month old Tinubu’s administration have spike up or taking a dangerous dimension. Though, the government inherited the insecurity challenges from former administration,the recent Tudun-Biri bomb mishaps and plateau Christmas eve carnage pointed a gory picture of senseless killings plague the country. The Tinubu government should develop a robust security measures to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. Government needs to change tactics on the ongoing war against banditry and other related crimes in the country. The militarization of bandits’ ravaged communities have failed to provide the desired outcome . The non- kinetic approach where communities are involved to tackle insecurity have proven more potent. There is the need for government to addres the symptoms of insecurity. The menace of banditry in Katsina, Zamfara and kaduna was caused by cattle rustling, illegal mining and injustice. However, in plateau and Benue states, the intractable crises between Fulani herdsmen and native farmers arise largely due to the dispute over grazing lands. In the South-East, there is unknown gunmen laying siege, maiming and killing of defenseless Nigerians. These arsonists are driven by secession agenda.

These deep-rooted malaises could be addressed through dialogue. Government should engage the non-state actors who take arms against the state to a constructive dialogue. In his new year message, president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, promised to give Nigerians civil servants a living wage and fast track stable power supply in the country. President Tinubu also promised to relieve any non-performing minister his or her position. While his promises have calmed fraying nerves, Mr President should go beyond mere talk or rhetoric and match his words with actions. With the economy going towards south trajectory, insecurity and inflation threatening Nigerians, President Tinubu should fulfill his promises in other to achieve his much talked “renewal agenda”

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, kaduna State. 08169056963.