The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has expressed disappointment that president Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech failed to provide solutions to problems facing Nigerians.
A statement by the Non-governmental organisation said, “CSJ welcomes President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech. While we appreciate the acknowledgment of the hardship faced by the Nigerian people, the speech failed to provide solutions to the most pressing issues facing Nigerians, such as the rising cost of living, the widespread insecurity, and the lack of basic infrastructure.
“President Tinubu’s request for ordinary Nigerians to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country was not matched with unequivocal sacrifices to be made by the political and economic leadership of the country. The present scenario where only the poorest of the poor and some segments of the middle class are asked to deepen sacrifice whilst the political class continues on the path of self-indulgence is not the way forward for economic regeneration.”
According the statement, President Tinubu highlighted the removal of fuel subsidy as a necessary step to free up resources for collective use, which had previously been pocketed by a privileged few. While we understand the intention behind this decision, it is crucial to emphasize that the burden of sacrifice should be shared by all, including the leadership.
“We recognise the president’s promise to invest in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare, and other public utilities to improve the quality of lives. However, we stress the importance of translating these promises into actionable plans with clear timelines and effective implementation strategies. Nigerians need more than just assurances; they require tangible solutions that will alleviate their current suffering and provide them with hope for a brighter future.