Independence Day: Nigerians Facing Existential Threat, Says Ex-IPAC Boss

A former chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Enugu State, Barrister John Nwobodo has described the 64th Independence Celebration of Nigeria as the most precarious time in the nation’s history.

Nwobodo, who stated this in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Enugu, lamented that “no one is taking responsibility even when Nigerians are facing existential threat.”

He stressed that the matter was complicated because no one is actually taking responsibility, noting that the citizens would not take the explanation of the government, much as it tried hard to do.

Nwobodo, however maintained that the buck stops at the table of government. “If any, meaningless. I acknowledge various social interventions of the Federal Government but it can be described as a drop of water in the ocean. The subnational governments have also not fared well in terms of delivery of dividends of democracy.

“Today, the middle class is almost nonexistent. Inflation continues on the upward trajectory; the Naira continues on a free-fall against major foreign currencies such as dollar, pounds and the Euro. Price of PMS has become uncertain with the attendant high transportation cost.

“The touted benefits of CNG vehicles are yet to be visible. Poverty, hunger, disease are all issues facing the greater number of citizens. Nigerians are grappling with high housing rent, utility bills, and high tuition fees in tertiary institutions amongst other perplexing conditions. Life expectancy has dropped in recent years.

“I must say that Nigerians are facing existential threat. I would therefore call on government at all levels to prioritise people’s welfare, reduce costs and create employment,” Nwobodo lamented.

Reacting to the 1st October protests, the former IPAC queried, “What has past protests achieved, if not to bring out the monster in governments who stops at nothing to suppress protesters”.