Still on the Presidential Speech

Still on the Presidential Speech

By Rabi Ummi Umar 

I read with interest a recent editorial by the Daily Trust titled “Not a Presidential Speech,” on the recent nationwide strike and offer my perspective on the matter.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently addressed the nation following widespread protests across Nigeria over hunger and economic hardship.

His broadcast, delivered on Sunday, August 4th, 2023, was met with widespread disappointment. The general consensus, as articulated by Daily Trust, is that the speech fell short of the expectations that a presidential address should meet, particularly during such a critical period.

The editorial rightly pointed out that the President’s speech failed to acknowledge the severity of the hardships endured by Nigerians over the past 14 months.

These hardships, largely exacerbated by the government’s fiscal and monetary policies, have taken a significant toll on the populace. Moreover, the President did not adequately address the specific demands made by the protesters.

It was evident from the banners carried during the protests that Nigerians were seeking concrete solutions to pressing issues, such as unemployment, the soaring price of petroleum, and food shortages.

Unfortunately, the President’s address seemed to reiterate promises made at the onset of his administration, rather than providing fresh, actionable solutions.

Daily Trust also highlighted the issue of subsidy removal, which has made additional resources available to the government. These funds could be invested in critical sectors like agriculture, education, and job creation.

Instead, these resources have been misappropriated, with state governors reportedly sharing them among themselves. This misallocation of funds has left the concerns raised by the protesters unaddressed.

Any Nigerian living through the current inflationary crisis can attest to the escalating cost of goods and services. It is alarming that, despite this, the government appears indifferent to the plight of its citizens.

Additionally, the ongoing devaluation of the naira only exacerbates the cost-of-living crisis, making daily survival increasingly difficult for many Nigerians.

I concur with Daily Trust’s observation concerning the constitutional mandate of the government as outlined in Chapter II, Section 16(2) of the Constitution. This section clearly stipulates that the government’s purpose is to ensure the survival and well-being of every citizen, not to implement policies that make life unbearable.

Section 16(2)(a) specifically mandates that the economic system should not be operated in a manner that permits the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of a few individuals or groups.

Furthermore, it calls for suitable and adequate shelter, food, a reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care, pensions, employment, sick benefits, and welfare for the disabled to be provided to all citizens.

It is imperative that the government adheres to these constitutional obligations, prioritizing the welfare and well-being of the people above all else.

While the protests have highlighted the deep dissatisfaction among the populace, it is crucial, as Daily Trust suggested, for citizens to exercise patience. At the same time, I urge the President to critically review his policy directions to align with the needs and expectations of the people.

Government policies should serve to improve the lives of citizens today, not merely promise a better, indeterminate future.

Finally, it is important to remember that a government’s legitimacy is derived from the will of the people. If the people are dissatisfied, governance becomes untenable. President Tinubu must understand that his primary responsibility is to meet the needs of the people who entrusted him with power.

Rabi Ummi Umar
Department of Mass Communication,, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, interns at PRNigeria Centre Abuja
Email @[email protected]