Politics
Urgent Action Needed: APC Chieftain Urges President Tinubu to Address Hunger in Nigeria
All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain from Osun State and former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently tackle the worsening hunger and economic challenges in Nigeria.
Speaking in Osogbo, Oyintiloye emphasized the need for a more rapid and effective response to ease the hardships faced by citizens.
While acknowledging Tinubu’s ongoing efforts, he underscored the importance of accelerating measures to address the rising costs of food, petrol, electricity, and cooking gas, which are contributing to the growing economic strain.
Oyintiloye expressed concern that the recent increase in fuel pump prices would exacerbate the existing hardship, urging the President to remove bureaucratic obstacles that delay the implementation of policies designed to provide relief.
“The economic suffering of the masses is becoming unbearable, and the President must act swiftly. Nigerians are hungry,” Oyintiloye said.
He also brought to fore the delay in implementing the suspension of customs duties and taxes on imported food items, a measure intended to combat rising food inflation.
Despite assurances from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, that the policy would begin once guidelines were ready, Oyintiloye noted that it has yet to be put into effect nearly two months later.
“The President is doing everything he can, but those responsible for policy implementation must not act as roadblocks.
“The 150-day duty-free window for the importation of maize, husked brown rice, and wheat is still not in place, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
Oyintiloye called for continued support for President Tinubu, urging Nigerians to be patient as the President works to implement policies that, while potentially painful in the short term, are intended to bring long-term benefits.