Former Gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje has emphasized the crucial need for governmental intervention to alleviate the challenges faced by Nigerians.
Agbaje noted that while President Bola Tinubu is actively seeking remedies for economic issues, his approach has, in his view, exacerbated the difficulties faced by the Nigerian populace. This perspective underscores the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of government strategies in addressing the hardships experienced by citizens at various levels.
Agbaje while speaking to TheCable said:
“There is a limit to how much people can endure. People have accepted the principle that there is no gain without pain but there is a limit to the pain. The truth is that there is an elastic limit”.
“Government at all levels must ease the pain of the people while trying to make lasting corrections to the economy. I am not sure that the people can endure for that much longer.”
Agbaje further urged government officials to demonstrate a commitment to public welfare by making sacrifices, particularly through reducing the overall cost of governance.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the provided palliatives reach the most vulnerable segments of society.
“The palliatives they are giving out must reach the vulnerable. It must cut across in a way that the people feel some measure of relief. Also, our leaders must lead by example. You cannot ask people to make sacrifice while you are not showing that measure of sacrifice,” he said.
“The issue is not whether he (Tinubu) has performed above or below expectations. The issue is that there is a problem. There were fundamental problems to the economy. He is trying to address it but the reality is that in addressing it, it is causing a lot of hardship. That hardship needs to be ameliorated”.
“Whatever decisions have been taken, I know we will not get immediate results. It is going to be medium and long-term. But the people have to be alive to enjoy the medium and long term. I think that is what is missing at this point in time. People cannot bear it much longer.”
