By Abdullahi Muhammad Sheka, Kano
An elder statesman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State, Babba Mazoji has expressed concerns about the current spate of insecurity, hunger, high school fees in tertiary institutions, and border closures which have resulted in continued suffering and mass deaths of the poor and less privileged in the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Mazoji made these statements in an open letter to the President, highlighting the risks associated with downplaying the seriousness of the current threats to lives, properties, and farming posed by herdsmen, kidnappers, and border closures across the country.
He warned against seeking consultations from foreigners who have no genuine interest in the wellbeing of Nigerians while emphasized the need to confront the situation and resolve the looming challenges of hunger and insecurity in the country.
According to him, the government’s systematic delay in addressing these problems by pretending that all is well without taking decisive steps, especially regarding insecurity and border closures, will only lead to more social issues.
He pointed out that Nigerians, facing food insecurity and hunger, will resort to undesirable activities if left with empty stomachs. He has called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take drastic steps to address these worsening problems in the country.
Mazoji reminded the government that security is a constitutional responsibility, and they must tackle insecurity promptly.
He expressed concerns about the increasing attacks by terrorists, herdsmen, and kidnappers, especially in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe, and Maiduguri.
The open letter emphasized that without addressing ongoing insecurity, any talk of development in all sectors would remain a mirage because tangible progress cannot occur in an insecure environment. Additionally, the rising costs of food, transportation, insecurity, and tertiary institution school fees are making life unbearable for the poor masses.
Mazoji advised the president to equip security agencies with modern machinery to address insecurity challenges and to make adequate arrangements for their families’ education and healthcare.
Hon. Babba Mazoji stressed that the lives of Nigerians have become a living nightmare due to soaring prices of essential goods and services while called on the president to address the issue of border closures and reopen them, allowing people from Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Yobe, and Maiduguri to resume business activities. He urged the president to meet the expectations of Nigerians by addressing the economic and social problems afflicting the country.
Mazoji appealed to President Tinubu on the urgent need to recognize the mass poverty and hunger in the country, with many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet. He pointed out that the harsh economic situation has led to the collapse of numerous businesses.
1469