By Tony Ezike
In a recent statement, Senator Uche Ekwunife has addressed the growing narrative attributing the current economic hardship and hunger in Nigeria to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Ekwunife emphasized that this perspective ignores the systemic issues that have long plagued the nation, dating back several decades.
She questioned the effectiveness of blaming Tinubu for issues deeply rooted in Nigeria’s history. “Negativity toward one’s nation does not foster growth, progress, or development. Instead, we should focus on the positive and support the collective goal of building a better future for Nigeria,” Ekwunife remarked.
Ekwunife pointed out that Nigerians have consistently prayed for relief from challenges like corruption and economic instability long before Tinubu took office. According to her, it is unrealistic to expect the newly elected president to solve multi-generational problems within a short time. “Blaming him for the current struggles is a misrepresentation of the nation’s complex challenges,” she stated, stressing that Tinubu inherited many of these problems, which are largely due to an entrenched corrupt system.
Despite these challenges, Ekwunife commended President Tinubu for initiating bold reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria. Among the key achievements of his administration highlighted by the Senator were:
- Fuel Subsidy Removal: Ekwunife praised the removal of fuel subsidies, a move that had been avoided by past administrations despite its potential to free up funds for critical sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
- Exchange Rate Unification: Tinubu’s decision to unify Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates was also lauded. Ekwunife noted that this step is seen as crucial for boosting foreign investment, stabilizing the naira, and creating a healthier economic environment.
- Social Welfare Programs: Tinubu’s introduction of social programs such as Cash Transfers and Palliatives for vulnerable Nigerians has helped to cushion the effects of economic reforms, especially for the poorest citizens.
- Agricultural Revival: President Tinubu’s focus on revitalizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector was highlighted as a key initiative to combat hunger and create jobs. Ekwunife referenced recent government allocations of fertilizers and other inputs to farmers, which are expected to improve food security and reduce import dependency.
Ekwunife urged Nigerians to remain positive and supportive of the president’s initiatives. While acknowledging the challenges, she emphasized that it is important to give the administration time to address the deep-rooted issues. “It is unrealistic to expect instant results from a new administration in a country where corruption and mismanagement have been entrenched for decades,” she remarked.
The senator concluded by calling for constructive criticism that is fair and balanced, rather than blaming the president for the nation’s long-standing issues. “We must embrace optimism and work together to solve the problems we face as a nation, instead of cursing the very land we seek to benefit from,” Ekwunife said.
