Distribution Of Palliatives By State Governors Will Not Reduce Hardship – ADC Guber Candidate

Ajiya Ayuba

As state governments roll out palliative distribution to the citizens, Plateau State governorship candidate in the 2023 election under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Honorable Solomon Nandy Chendan has argued that the move will not reduce the hardships experienced by Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

The ADC Guber candidate who is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Scottbrian Global Security Services “SGSS” who stated this in an interview with our Correspondent lamented that the fuel subsidy removal has subjected many Nigerian households to untold hardship.

The Ex-Guber candidate of the opposition ADC who traced the suffering of Nigerian masses to the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, said after the closure of land borders, kidnapping, and armed robbery, Boko Haram terrorism became the order of the day which deprived Nigerians of peaceful living.

He lamented that the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the day of his swearing-in on May 29, 2023, has led to sharp and multiple increases in fuel pump prices.

He also lamented that the action of the president has led to astronomical increases in the price of goods and services, thereby pushing millions of Nigerians into abject poverty.

He said that the action of the Tinubu-led federal government has worsened the socio-economic situation in the country.

According to him, the distribution of palliative to state governors will not solve the present situation of the Nigerian masses.

He said that in the regime of President Buhari, the government started a social Work programme but nobody can give you the names of Poor citizens that benefitted. It was used by politicians to sort their children, relatives, and those whom they love.

The government should focus on subsidizing production rather than consumption. The N185 billion cannot be accounted for while an average Nigerian needs help.

He said that handing N5 billion to state governors is just theoretically sweet in the tongue but difficult to implement, the Federal government should have to use the money to purchase buses to place them in the Federal capital territory for easy transportation, for instance, Nigerians living in Mararaba, Nyanya and other locations within the metro at a rate of N200 as fare in other to add value to the low-income earners.

He advised the state governors instead of buying Rice, Oil, and Noodles for a family of six, just get enough buses to share it across 774 local governments of the federation to transport people to their various state capitals at affordable prices and put some in the state capital that one will also reduce hardship.

He further said that most of the state governors will not distribute anything to the masses, even if they give, they need serious evaluation across all local governments for accountability.

The ADC gubernatorial candidate commended the effort of the Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum for the wonderful job done by distributing 100% palliative to his people because he’s the only governor that has been going all around the local government area to check the whether the committee are doing justice to the good people of Borno state.

” He wished other Governors would emulate Governor Zulum with a passion to serve humanity without fair or favor.

He hinted further that just recently ” Professor Zulum of Borno State shared N30,000 each to 1215 Corpers worth (N36.4m) who are currently in his State for their three weeks orientation camping also allocated 100 bags of rice, 10 cows, 10 bags of 100 kg of beans, and 10 gallons of cooking oil for special meal for corps members during their ongoing three weeks orientation camp and also bought buses for easy transportation to farmers in order to reduce hardship across borderline.

All political holders particularly both distinguished Senators and the House of Reps members should initiate investment programs within their various constituency an investment of at least N500m to N1b projects like; ICT, Fish farming, Cow Ranching, etc.

“While we acknowledge the complex and difficult decisions taken by the government to manage the nation’s economy, there is an urgent need to prioritise measures that will alleviate rather than exacerbate the existing poverty level and hardships of Nigerians,” he added

“This has placed an enormous hardship on the already struggling masses, making life extremely difficult for them to afford the basic necessities of life.”

He recommends that the government should engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to explore sustainable solutions to the current situation.

He also called for comprehensive economic policies that promote inclusive growth, job creation, and social well-being.

He urged the government to focus on diversifying the economy, promoting investments in sectors with the potential to create sustainable employment opportunities, and introducing mass transport service across states because Democracy is the government of the people by the people and for everybody regardless of tribe, religion, and Political party.