#EndBadGovernance protests—hunger & rage: the fight against bad governance

Amidst Nigeria’s fertile lands, oil wells, and bustling cities, a crisis unfolds—a paradox of potential prosperity shadowed by widespread hunger and economic despair. The once-thriving nation endowed with significant arable land and a vibrant young populace—faces a crisis of governance compounded by severe hunger, insecurity, unemployment, and despair.

Across the country, from the bustling streets of Lagos to the cities of Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Kastina, and to the uttermost parts of the country, the whirlwind of hunger ravages the land, a grim reminder of the country’s vast potential now shadowed by severe malnutrition and escalating poverty.

The ongoing #EndBadGovernance Hunger Protest encapsulates the collective frustration and desperation of millions. These protests have become the last straw for survival for many, a beacon of hope against a backdrop of betrayal by a government they trusted.

This crisis was precipitated by a series of crippling economic decisions under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, notably the abrupt removal of petrol subsidies on May 23, 2023. This decision alone set off economic shockwaves, propelling the price of food and essential services to unprecedented heights and stoking an inflation rate that surged to the highest in nearly three decades.

As of April 2024, the situation worsened with a staggering 240% increase in electricity tariffs, thrusting even the middle class into economic peril. This inflation seeps into every Nigerian home, making basic necessities like food, medicine, and security increasingly unattainable.

Petrol prices—a lifeline for the bustling streets of cities and rural areas alike—soared from N172.61 in April 2022 to a staggering N880 per liter by August 2024.

Economic strain is across Nigeria, with palpable inflation at a 34-year high, soaring to 29.9% in January 2024. Concurrently, the naira currency has slumped to record lows, compounding the economic pressures with a severe dollar shortage, as detailed in Nigerian statistics and further reported.

The 2023 Global Hunger Index ranks Nigeria 109th out of 125 countries, signaling a severe hunger situation with a score of 28.3%. This grim statistic is echoed by the Nigeria Red Cross, which reports that 26.5 million Nigerians are facing hunger and need urgent assistance.

Even His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, not long ago, lamented that hunger is currently more lethal than the coronavirus, highlighting the severity of the crisis.

The roots of this despair extend deep into the soil of corruption and mismanagement by a bizarrely clueless leadership that has misused Nigeria’s resources.

These actions have led to incalculable sorrow and anguish, as globally demonstrated earlier by the grim statistic contained in the reports by the Nigeria Red Cross, that 26.5 million Nigerians are facing hunger and are in dire need of urgent assistance.

Repeated warnings from organizations like UNICEF and the Nigerian government-led Cadre Harmonisé highlight nearly 25 million Nigerians at risk of hunger.

However, these cries for help have been met with inadequate responses. Children, the most vulnerable to food insecurity, face a dire risk of mortality due to acute malnutrition, with numbers expected to rise alarmingly in specific states.

The government and the international community must act swiftly and decisively to avert further catastrophe. Solutions must go beyond temporary relief and address the root causes of corruption, mismanagement, and poor economic policies.

The path forward for Nigeria is a complex yet urgent one. Restoring the fuel subsidy to reduce gas prices, cutting down the cost of governance, tackling corruption, implementing effective economic policies, and investing in agriculture and food security are critical steps.

Cutting down the cost of governance, attracting international aid (not loans), and empowering local initiatives aimed at improving food distribution and accessibility are actions that can make a significant difference.

However, the most crucial element is political will—the commitment of Nigeria’s leaders to genuinely address the needs of their people and work towards sustainable solutions.

Yet, amid these shocks, the human cost is the most harrowing. Reports from Amnesty International indicate that at least 13 young Nigerians have died in clashes with police since the protests began. Each death reminds us of the government’s failure to protect its most valuable asset—its people.

The world needs not only to condemn the Nigerian government for its failure not to protect Protesters but also to hold them accountable for allegedly stoking violence in the midst of peaceful protesters by contracting thugs and anti-protesters.

As the #EndBadGovernance protests continue or abate, the clear mission reverberates loudly— through all global mainstream Media as more than just a cry for economic relief but a desperate plea for a fundamental shift in governance and the attendant reforms.

Nigerians demand a government that hears their cries and acts with urgency and compassion to safeguard the nation’s future. The world watches as Nigeria stands at a crossroads, and its people call for action, not just promises, as they strive to turn their anguish into a narrative of hope and renewal.

Pastor Emmanuel Ihim, Esq., is a lawyer and minister, currently serving as the President of the Diaspora Alliance, US, and as the Coordinator of the National Rescue Congress. Pastor Ihim can be reached for inquiries, collaborations, or further discussion at +1 (817) 262-8885 or +1 (202) 446-7555. Emails can be directed to nationalrescuecongress@gmail.com.

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