Federal lawmaker Hon. Mascot Alexander Ikwechegh has issued a stark warning to the APC-led federal government, urging it to shift from “endless rhetoric” to meaningful action that directly impacts the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Ikwechegh, who represents Abano and Abasal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and serves as Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Poverty Elimination, delivered the remarks during an interactive session with journalists marking two years of the current administration.
“It’s been two years. Nigerians are hungry. There’s no other way to say it,” he said. “The subsidy removal may have been necessary, but the way it was done—with no serious cushioning policy—was a huge mistake.”
The lawmaker, who sits on strategic committees such as Anti-Corruption, Navy, NASENI, and Agricultural Institutions, lamented the widening economic hardship, soaring inflation, and weakening naira, adding that Nigerians are being forced to “adjust to pain” rather than “benefit from policy.”
“When we started, the dollar was about N700. Today, it’s over N1,600. If that’s not a red flag, I don’t know what is.”
Ikweche, who comes from a private sector background, contrasted the discipline in business with what he called the lax culture in governance.
“In the private sector, if you don’t deliver, you go. In government, people just talk. You can’t run a country on psychophancy and placidity. You have to roll up your sleeves.”
He commended a few federal officials, such as the Ministers of Works, Interior, and the FCT, for their visible efforts, especially FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom he described as “a man of action, not announcements.”
“People are tired of press briefings. Just do the work. Wike is showing what can be done if people get serious.”
On insecurity, Ikweche said Nigeria remains far from safe, citing recent events in Borno and continued violence in the South-East.
“Governor Zulum is crying out. IDPs are still displaced. Terrorists are regrouping. In the South-East, people are afraid to leave their homes on Mondays. That’s not normal.”
He called for bold political solutions, including a reconsideration of the detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
“We can’t keep acting like that issue doesn’t exist. If peace is truly the goal, we must look at every option.”
The legislator also took aim at federal budgeting priorities, criticizing the heavy emphasis on overheads and recurrent spending at the expense of tangible development.
“Ministries are spending on air conditioners and foreign trips while schools don’t have seats. Our national hospital is in bad shape. In some states, even local clinics are better.”
Addressing political maneuvering ahead of 2027, Ikweche had a clear message:
“Do the work now. If people are impressed, they’ll ask you to continue. But if you fail and try to rely on noise and manipulation, the system will reject you.”
He closed by reminding public officials of the social contract they’ve entered with the people.
“Government’s job is to make life better—through security, infrastructure, education, and opportunity. Anything else is noise.”