By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, has lent his voice to that of Governor Bala Mohammed who has earlier called on President Bola Tinubu to re-evaluate his strangulating economic policies, saying that Nigerians can no longer breathe.
During the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Local Government elections campaign, Governor Mohammed expressed grave concerns about the direction of the national economy, accusing the federal government of enacting policies that have led to increased poverty, hunger, and economic hardship across the country.
In a statement, Speaker Suleiman aligned himself with the governor’s observations, emphasizing that the adverse effects of the federal government’s policies are evident in the daily lives of the citizens of Bauchi State and beyond.
He said that the economic difficulties are not confined to any particular region but are being felt nationwide, from the North to the South.
“The governor’s critique reflects the reality on the ground,” Suleiman stated. “The people of Bauchi State, like many Nigerians, are grappling with the consequences of these policies. As leaders, it is our duty to voice these concerns and advocate for policies that prioritize the welfare of our citizens.”
Suleiman pointed out that the concerns raised by Governor Mohammed are not politically motivated but are rooted in the genuine suffering of the people.
He argued that the current policies have exacerbated existing economic challenges, making life more difficult for ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, the federal government’s approach needs to be re-evaluated to ensure that the policies in place are not only sustainable but also geared towards alleviating the hardships faced by the majority of the population.
“The challenges we face today are a call to action for all leaders, from the presidency to the local government level. We must come together to reassess these policies and find solutions that will work for all Nigerians, not just a select few,” the Speaker asserted.
“For some of our political class we need to realize that we are in position of authority today or at one time or the other at the behest of our people and our various constituencies. We must have the courage to speak truth to power because whatever we do today, posterity will certainly judge us rightly or wrongly.
“The protest we saw was a reflection of the dissatisfaction among the Nigerian people and it is their inalienable right to express it as witnessed across the country. If the government is addressing the complains of the people, they won’t be protest as witnessed, Governor Bala Mohammed should be commended for for his courage to speak truth to power.
Suleiman also appealed to other leaders across the country to join in advocating for a review of the current economic policies, stressing that the well-being of the citizens should be the primary focus of any government.
He expressed hope that with collective effort and genuine concern for the people, better and more effective policies can be implemented to address the pressing issues of poverty, hunger, and economic instability.
The Speaker’s strong alignment with Governor Bala Mohammed’s stance underscores the growing concern within Bauchi State’s leadership about the trajectory of the nation’s economic policies under the current administration.
It is of the believe that as voices within the state government continue to call for change, the pressure on the federal government to reconsider its approach is likely to intensify.
