“Ebi n pawa o!” – Osun Civil Societies Decry Economic Hardship, Urge Tinubu To Address Hunger, Poverty

The Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), an umbrella body of civil societies groups in Osun State on Wednesday decried the worsening economic situation of the country.

A statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Waheed Lawal to mark this year’s Democracy Day, used the medium to call on President Bola Tinubu to save Nigerians from hunger and poverty.

According to the statement, “It is 31 years of the twist of fate. The historic June 12, 1993, presidential election annulment is still fresh in our memory. The annulment has remained a murdered opportunity to set Nigeria on the right track for all-encompassing development. Though the annulment is an albatross on the state and non-state actors, it is denying Nigerians and Nigeria the government that would have ensured prosperity and life more abundant for all. May God rest the soul of the symbol of our democracy, Basorun MKO Abiola.

“It is unfortunate that MKO’s manifestoes which are the provision of basic amenities and mass prosperity are still elusive 31 years after. Besides, the lessons and gains of June 12 appeared to be missing at the corridor of power at all levels, making the government persistently take Nigerians for granted. Nigeria’s rulers across the divide appear to “have learned nothing and forgotten everything.”

“Unfortunately, continuous decades of bad governance by the unpatriotic and self-centered elite, military and civilian leadership that cut across all tribes and religions, produced exploitation, oppression; poverty, misery, injustice, hopelessness, insecurity, banditry, and violent death as majorly being experienced by the common masses all over the country!

READ: Democracy Day: CSOs Stage Peaceful Procession In Osogbo, Demand Inclusive Governance

“Currently, Nigerians are going through worsening economic hardship that is creating more poverty and penury. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through its World Bank and IMF teleguided economic policies has continued to unleash hardship on Nigerians.

“The removal of subsidy, increment in electricity tariff and devaluation of Naira have cast a shadow over the economic stability of Nigeria; and this is hampering productivity and killing Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, taking away the purchasing power of the Nigerian people, creating hunger, starvation and skyrocketing foodstuffs and essential commodities prices, among other woes. The worst of the agonies is the ongoing food crisis where staple foods have been priced out of the reach of the common people.

“It is now clear that no political party or political actor of even the best substance can deliver any change, so long as the erroneous warped system remains in place. It has gone beyond the issue of personal integrity or sincerity of good intention or EMILOKAN mantra. Our present system is corrupt and our institutions are weak.

“We are using this June 12 occasion to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to descend from the ladder of the World Bank, IMF, and other international institutions influencing his government. Mr President, please save the country and Nigerians from the unleashed hunger and poverty.

“We demand an egalitarian society, where equity, fairness, and prosperity for all is guaranteed. Ebi n pawa o!”