By Abdullahi Muhammad Sheka
Hon. Zaharaddeen Babba Mazoji has called on President Bola Tinubu to promptly address the soaring costs of food items in the country, expressing concern that Nigerians are hungry and desperately in need of palliatives to alleviate their suffering.
Mazoji emphasized that millions of citizens are disheartened, unsure of where their next meal will come from due to the severe economic challenges stemming from the sudden removal of fuel subsidies, border closures, liberalization, and the floating of the exchange rate, leading to the devaluation of the naira and unprecedented inflation nationwide.
As an elder statesman of the PDP in Katsina state, Hon. Zaharaddeen Babba Mazoji empathizes with the plight of Nigerians during these trying times. He urges President Tinubu to fulfill the promised intervention, keeping in mind the constitutional mandate outlined in Section 14 (2)b, which declares the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.
Mazoji emphasized, “The economic hardship is evidently fueling the surge in crimes and insecurity in the country, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom. Unfortunately, no part of the nation is safe, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”
He urgently advises the Federal Government to act swiftly, rescuing citizens from hunger and ensuring their safety by addressing the food crisis and insecurity head-on.
Mazoji highlighted that the hike in cement prices has halted construction projects, impacting hundreds of thousands of laborers who rely on daily wages. This issue could exacerbate insecurity and banditry challenges in our communities.
“It is time to salvage our dear nation and redirect the ship of the state from its perilous course. It is time to halt the awkward baby steps and ill-conceived policies that have impoverished the populace and take giant strides toward economic recovery, delivering the dividends of democracy, political stability, and technological advancement that will elevate Nigerians to higher standards.”