Former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jr, has outlined six urgent steps for President Bola Tinubu amid widespread hunger protests across the nation.
Nweke emphasized the necessity for direct engagement with citizens suffering from economic hardships. He stressed that the President must address the populace and protesters directly rather than through intermediaries. Additionally, Nweke urged President Tinubu to launch an immediate investigation into the killing of unarmed protesters by security forces.
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Nweke, who previously ran for governorship under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Enugu, advised the President to reduce the cost of governance and intensify efforts against corruption. He also highlighted the need for federal intervention to ensure state governors fulfill their responsibilities.
On his X handle, Nweke stated, “Speak with Nigerians. He must listen to and address Nigerians directly, not through tone-deaf surrogates.”
“Demand an immediate investigation into the reported killings across the country and hold the security services accountable for the life of every Nigerian that has been cut short.”
“Take immediate and definite steps that show a commitment to reducing the size and cost of governance, reviewing the salaries of public officials downwards, and going beyond lip service to combat corruption and profligacy in the government.”
Nweke further stressed the importance of holding state governments accountable. He noted that the Federal Accounts Allocations increased by 179% in the first five months of 2024 due to subsidy removal, with some states receiving almost 100% more funds. He called on state governments to fulfill their responsibilities and for a structured partnership with citizens to ensure accountability.
He also pointed out that, following a ruling deeming it unconstitutional for state governors to control local government funds, the federal government should establish an accountability mechanism to ensure local governments provide essential services.
Finally, Nweke urged the President to foster constructive engagement, employing eminent citizens to facilitate national conversations between the government and the populace to reach a consensus on the way forward.
Former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jr, advised President Bola Tinubu on six urgent steps:
- Direct Engagement: Address and listen to citizens and protesters directly, not through intermediaries.
- Investigation of Killings: Order an immediate investigation into the killing of peaceful and unarmed protesters by security forces.
- Reduce Governance Costs: Take immediate steps to reduce the size and cost of governance, including reviewing public officials’ salaries downwards, and intensify efforts against corruption.
- Hold State Governments Accountable: Call on state governments to fulfill their responsibilities, especially given the increase in Federal Accounts Allocations due to subsidy removal.
- Monitor Local Governments: Create an accountability and monitoring mechanism to ensure local governments provide critical services, following the ruling against state governors controlling local government funds.
- Foster National Dialogue: Urge constructive engagement and facilitate national conversations between the government and citizens, using eminent citizens to help reach a consensus on the nation’s way forward
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