Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) has called on President Bola Tinubu to take urgent action to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians due to soaring prices of food and energy.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Ndume expressed deep concern over what he termed “fifth columnists” collaborating with saboteurs to undermine the Tinubu administration’s efforts to establish a positive legacy for the nation. He highlighted the alarming rise in prices for fuel, food, and essential goods, stating that these increases have made life increasingly unbearable for ordinary Nigerians, especially the poor and vulnerable.
“Bad elements are trying hard to turn the people against President Tinubu’s administration by advocating for harsh reforms and ineffective policies, rather than focusing on controlling inflation and the exchange rate, which are making life difficult for Nigerians,” Ndume noted.
He condemned those intent on tarnishing the President’s image, emphasizing that their actions inflict pain on the populace through misguided reforms, ultimately leading to a blame game directed at President Tinubu as conditions worsen.
Ndume urged the administration to acknowledge the struggles faced by many families who find it challenging to meet their daily needs due to hyperinflation driven by the continuous rise in essential goods and services.
“I believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu genuinely wants to improve Nigeria and the lives of its citizens. I know this because of what he stands for. However, some of his advisers may not have the best interests of the people at heart and are giving him misguided advice,” Ndume remarked.
He called on the President to resist negative influences that seek to pit the people against his administration. “The hardship inflicted by these advisers is becoming unbearable. I’m currently in Borno, and I can attest to the suffering, hunger, frustration, and anger among the people,” he said.
Ndume described the dire situation in Borno State, where many families are struggling to afford food due to relentless price increases, which have created unimaginable hardship. He noted that farmers face challenges in transporting their products because of exorbitant transportation costs, leading to further price hikes for goods.
He concluded by highlighting the astronomical costs of travel, particularly citing the expenses involved in traveling from Abuja to Maiduguri, questioning how ordinary citizens can afford such prices.