The Archbishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah, has issued a stark warning to President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urging them to urgently address the economic hardship in the country.
Speaking at the unveiling of The Progressive Institute, an initiative of the APC National Working Committee led by Abdullahi Ganduje, in Abuja on Friday, Kukah expressed concern over the worsening conditions, stressing that Nigerians are struggling with hunger.
The cleric specifically appealed to the government to consider reducing the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, which has seen a significant price hike in recent months, leading to long queues at filling stations across the country.
Kukah recounted a poignant conversation, stating, “I once asked a girl if she is in the APC, PDP, or Labour and she said, ‘I am hungry.’ And so, since I am speaking to those who are in power, please know that we, Nigerians, are hungry. Find a way of reducing the price of fuel. Find a way of keeping our country secure. That will be the greatest legitimacy of any government.”
He also raised concerns about the reliance on spiritualists and ritualists by some government officials after assuming office.
According to Kukah, this practice diverts attention from governance and undermines the country’s development.
“So rather than being guided by science, major decisions are taken through the necromancy of illiterate people, who are seated somewhere chewing kola nuts and doing nothing with their lives, except projecting on what is going to happen. This is why I think this Progressives Institute is important because we need to move towards science,” he emphasized.
Responding to Kukah’s remarks, the Nasarawa State APC Chairman, Aliyu Bello, acknowledged the challenges facing Nigerians but expressed confidence in Tinubu’s ability to address the situation.
He stated, “Yes, there is hunger in the land. President Tinubu is working on it. This is because, for every problem, there must be a solution. By the grace of God, the solution is coming through the APC, not through any other person.”
In his keynote address, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, defended President Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira. He explained that while these reforms have caused temporary difficulties, they are necessary for long-term stability.
“These reforms are necessary,” Uzodimma said.
“We have invested N200bn in an intervention fund to address urgent issues and other emergency policies that will improve food security, such as the duty waiver on food items as well as the distribution of fertilisers across the country.”
He concluded by stressing that these initiatives are practical applications of the progressive principles that will ultimately lead to economic recovery and growth in Nigeria.