Nonye Ezeayaeche, a 105-year-old veteran politician and activist, has called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize tackling hunger and inequality in Nigeria. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on August 15, 2024, Ezeayaeche, who was the oldest presidential aspirant in the 2023 General Elections under the African Action Congress, urged the Tinubu administration to take concrete actions to address these pressing issues.
Ezeayaeche emphasized the need to respect freedom of speech and the right to protest, as guaranteed by constitutions, including Nigeria’s. She highlighted the ongoing hunger and unrest despite previous protests and urged the government to address the demands of Nigerian youths who have voiced their concerns during demonstrations against poor governance and hunger.
“Mr. President, hunger persists in spite of the protests. Please take concrete action, and address the agitation, demands, and requests,” Ezeayaeche said, stressing the importance of ensuring everyone’s rights are respected to foster peace.
The centenarian, affectionately known as the “great, great, great grandma of Africa,” also condemned the exploitation of protests by elements seeking to cause destruction and effect regime change. She recommended compensating families of victims from the protests, establishing monitoring groups to ensure government programs benefit the grassroots, and combating corruption.
Ezeayaeche further advised the government to provide equal opportunities and benefits to all Nigerians, regardless of their background, and to punish wealthy individuals who commit crimes while avoiding ethnic marginalization.