The Accord Party national chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the issue of high cost of food items in the country, saying that Nigerians were hungry and were in need of palliatives to assuage their sufferings.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Friday, Barrister Mgbudem said millions of citizens were disillusioned wondering where the next meal will come from due to the extreme economic hardship occasioned by the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy, liberalisation and floating of the exchange rate that led to the crash of the naira and unprecedented inflation across the country.
He said today, Nigerians were on the streets protesting against high cost of food as obtainable in 1984 when there was scarcity of essential commodities during the General Muhammadu Buhari military regime.
He said the Accord Party feels the grief of Nigerians in this difficult time and urged President Tinubu to release adequate grains he promised to meet the needs of fellow compatriots bearing in mind Section 14 (2)b of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“It is obvious that the economic hardship is responsible for the spike in crimes and insecurity in the country, particularly terrorism, insurgency, banditry, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom. Unfortunately, no part of the nation is safe, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“Accord demands a state of emergency on high rate of food items and insecurity in the country,” he said.
He said the federal government should act fast and save citizens from hunger and guarantee their safety by tackling food crisis and insecurity head-on.
He said the party will continue to champion the cause of the masses as a major stakeholder in the democratic process, adding that the electorate voted for change and a better life, not hunger and carnage.
“It is time to salvage our dear nation and redirect the ship of the state from its perilous course. It is time to stop the awkward baby steps and ill-conceived policies and actions that have impoverished the populace and take giant steps to economic recovery, delivery of dividends of democracy, political stability and technological advancement that will lead Nigerians to the Promised Land of abundance, unity and patriotism,” he added.
