URGENT: Five Things FG must do to Win Back Public Confidence

Our nation is at a crossroad and the increase in agitations, killings, kidnaping and general insecurity in the country is unprecedented. It is an open fact that Nigerians are hungry and angry, which they express both in social media and the press. No government in Nigeria or indeed anywhere in the world can succeed without the support of the citizens, and in the case of Nigeria, it is evident that the people and the government are heading in opposite directions and that is about to tear the nation apart. The federal government cannot continue to pretend that all is well in the face of increased defiance of law and order by the citizens.

The increased agitations in the country are by-products of corruption, insecurity and incessant killings caused by prolonged failure of the authorities to take adequate measures to secure the country. The citizens have witnessed many disappointments from governments in the past, and that was the reason this present government’s change agenda was received by the populace, believing these promises will bring relief and ameliorate their sufferings.

Seven years down the line, these promises have not been kept and the hope of the people fluttered. This disappointment and inability of this present administration to fulfill their election promises have led to violent reactions in various quarters that has threatened the peace of the country. Notable amongst such agitation is the EndSARS protest in October 2020, which was triggered by killings, assaults and harassment, especially, the youths by officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit of the Nigeria Police, whose actions visibly denied the citizens their fundamental right of freedom of expression.

The increased insecurity and clashes between herdsmen and farmers across the country on the other hand, sparked off more violence, which led to many deaths and in reaction to that, various indigenous groups see the need to set up security outfits to secure their farmlands and communities, in the presence of a complete lack of capacity by the security forces to provide protection to the citizens.

Tension is high and the insecurity in the country is threatening the very foundation of our country, because the masses feel the government is insensitive and indifferent to their flights, especially the incessant killings and the ravaging hunger. Government is seen not to be doing enough to help protect lives and properties and bring down the prices of foodstuff and reduce hunger in the land. The government cannot afford to be oblivious of the situation in the country by continually pretending that all is well, whereas the nation is almost breaking apart.

Our appeal to the federal government is to give a listening hear to the citizens, feel the pulse of the tension of the people and take immediate steps to ameliorate the concerns of the populace as follows:

1.    We ask that the borders be re-opened as an urgent measure to allow food into the country so that the prices of foodstuff can drop and that will help to reduce the biting starvation.

2.    The federal government should take immediate measures to secure regions in the north especially, so that farmers can go back to their farmlands, which will contribute immensely to the reduction of hunger in the country.

3.    The federal government should pass the electoral bill as submitted by the National Assemble, because the National Assemble is the voice of the people and the Executive must respect popular opinion. A free and fair election will help to rebuild trust and gain the acceptance of the in-coming government by the people.

4.    President Muhammadu Buhari should be honest enough to admit the truth and address the citizens that all its efforts and attempt to address many of the issues plaguing the country have not produced the desired results, to try and calm tempers by pledging his administration’s resolve to do everything within its powers to brings about peace and reduce hunger.

5.    The emerging government must be seen to be liberal in its selection and appointment of public office holders in such a manner that it is not biased and all-inclusive.

Conclusion

The One Nigeria Group do not support violence of any kind, neither do we favour agitations that are separatist in nature, therefore, we appeal to all stakeholders and interest groups in the country to give peace a chance, because we have witnessed enough shedding of innocent blood in the last few years. At this point in time, nothing is too much to sacrifice to gain back the trust of the people and bring about peaceful co-existence urgently.