By Stephen Adeleye
A Political Scientist, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the lingering issues of hunger and perceived selective justice in the country.
Usman made the call in Lokoja, during the inauguration of “Citizens Assembly” town hall meeting, organised by the office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Prof. Usman, who was the guest Speaker at the event, commended President Tinubu, for taking frontal decisions and implementation of several policies such as local government autonomy, the students loan, palliative distribution and the Renewed Hope Initiative in health sector.
Prof. Usman, who doubles as the Rector, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, also eulogised the President for reversing to the old National Anthem as well as other short, medium and long term policies which he said were highly commendable.
“We also commend Mr President for being bold enough to confront the cabals in the oil sector that have held Nigeria down for years.
“However, the removal of fuel subsidy without putting a concrete template on ground, is the area we have protracted and conflicting issues, and to me, that is what is bringing severe hunger to the people.
“Mr President, Nigerians are hungry, I must tell you the truth. Nigerians are also angry. So, the people are hungry and angry because hunger will automatically bring anger.
“No concrete template plans were put in place to cushion the negative effects of subsidy removal and that is the major thing that is causing hunger in the land.
“To me, every other policy of Mr President is okay but anyone that will bring hunger will make people to ignore all other good policies on ground.
“Though the President has been providing palliatives for the indigent but I tell you that it is just a drop of water in the ocean.
“The cost of fuel is rising everyday as high as N1,100 per litre and the cost of food items and other commodities are skyrocketing.
“Since this meeting is Citizens’ Assembly, and it is about citizens engagement and giving feedback to the government.
“I can tell you if you ask average participants in this meeting today, they will tell you there is hunger in the land, which is occasioned by the removal of subsidy without concrete plans to address these issues.
“So, we advise Mr President to as quickly as possible address the lingering issue of hunger in the land,” Usman said.
The political scientist also urged President Tinubu to address the issue of perceived selective justice under his administration.
He described: “Perceived selective justice” as the notion that justice is applied unfairly or disproportionately, favoring certain individuals or groups over others.
Pointing at alleged corruption accusations in Rivers, Kano and Zamfara states where the accused actors are celebrated leaders within the current administration, and queried, “why is Kogi different”?
“Without sounding immodest, a typical example is in Rivers State. Before Nyesom Wike left office, I was aware that his Accountant General who later became Governor was declared wanted over alleged N400 billion fraud, and they said they were looking for him.
“The Wike, whom they were looking for that had immunity that time is now presently serving as Minister of FCT, and nothing happened!
“Also, in Zamfara State, the former Gov. Bello Matawalle, was recently accused by the current Governor of embezzling over N200 billion, but the same Matawalle is currently serving as Minister, and nothing was done.
“In addition, in Kano State, the former Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje is being accused of embezzlement and bribery, but the same Ganduje is the National Chairman of our dear party .
“So, why is the case of Kogi State different from that of Rivers, Zamfara and Kano”?
“Why are our Laws being enforced selectively, targeting specific individuals, and similar cases receive different treatments, and prosecutions seem biased under this present administration”? Usman queried
The analyst insisted that the ongoing quagmire by the EFCC against the former Gov. Yahaya Bello is a “politically motivated selective prosecution”, targeting him for prosecution while ignoring similar offenses by others.
He stressed that the issues of hunger occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and the selective justice under the present administration, have eroded trust in institutions, loss of public trust, fuel social unrest, polarization, instability and undermine the rule of law in Nigeria.
“The people are hungry due to fuel subsidy removal and are also angry because of the perceived selective justice ongoing under this present administration at the centre.
“So, we are calling on Mr President to as a matter of urgency address these two key issues of hunger and perceived selective justice, and Nigerians will be happy and our country will better for it.
Prof Usman, however commended Mrs Abiodun Essiet, SSA to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, for putting such lofty initiative in place to engage with citizens.
The don urged her to relate the feedback to Mr President as a matter of urgency to address all the issues that were raised at the meeting.
He added: “I can assure you, if the issue of hunger is quickly and adequately addressed, every other issues will be resolved because hunger and governance has no tribe or religion.
“I believe Mr President will listen and quickly address these issues”.
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