Salihu Lukman, a former Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the north-west, has issued a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to be attentive to the increasing sufferings of Nigerians.
In a statement, Lukman expressed deep concern about the growing impoverishment of citizens, especially in their inability to afford basic medication.
Lukman, a prominent APC member, lamented that the performance of President Tinubu in the last 10 months has fallen short of the expectations many had. He questioned the conscience of political leaders who continue to live normal lives while the citizens who elected them are grappling with poverty resulting from decisions made by the ruling party.
“How can anyone with the faintest of conscience live a normal life with a reality whereby the same citizens who elected them as leaders are impoverished by decisions we took as a ruling party?”
Expressing disappointment, Lukman appealed to President Tinubu, APC leaders, and Nigerian politicians to do better, emphasizing the dire situation faced by citizens, including high-income earners who can no longer afford essential medication.
“Is President Asiwaju Tinubu at all aware that the majority of our citizens, including relatively high-income earners cannot afford medication when they are sick?”
Lukman, echoing the sentiment of many Nigerians, expressed the belief that President Tinubu is a responsive politician who should carefully weigh the consequences of decisions that affect citizens’ lives. He called for a review of decisions, particularly those related to subsidy withdrawal and the floating exchange rate, emphasizing the need to protect citizens’ welfare.
“It is our expectation he will quickly review and recalibrate such decisions with the overall objective of protecting the welfare of citizens. That is what progressive politics is all about.”
In a plea, Lukman invoked divine intervention, asking for God Almighty to touch the hearts of President Tinubu, all APC leaders, and Nigerian politicians to grasp the life-threatening reality faced by millions of Nigerians.
“May God Almighty touch the heart of President Asiwaju Tinubu and all APC leaders, and indeed all Nigerian politicians, to understand that millions of Nigerians are confronted with life threatening reality today.”
Concluding his statement, Lukman expressed the reciprocal nature of expectations, noting that just as politicians seek citizens’ votes during elections, the citizens are now asking leaders, particularly President Tinubu, to be responsive to the current challenges.
“Just like we asked for the votes of citizens during elections, citizens are asking leaders, especially President Asiwaju Tinubu, to be responsive to today’s reality.”
Lukman concluded by expressing uncertainty about the country’s future trajectory under President Tinubu’s leadership, highlighting the difficulties in predicting the nation’s direction.