Former Minister of Education Obiageli Ezekwesili has issued a strong call to President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s state governors, urging them to take decisive actions to address the current national crisis. Her statement comes as protests against widespread hunger and poor governance continue into their sixth day.
In a recent social media post, Ezekwesili criticized the current approach of many leaders, who have been accused of attempting to silence protestors through threats and violence. She argued that such tactics are counterproductive and only strengthen the resolve of the demonstrators.
Ezekwesili emphasized that the leaders must use the current moment as an opportunity to engage with the citizens directly.
She stated, “Let me reiterate a possible Pathway for @NigeriaGov @officialABAT to take Nigeria and Nigerians out of the unfortunate quagmire the country finds itself:
“When Citizens tell their Leaders that they are hungry and angry due to #BadGovernanceInNigeria, the unwise thing to do was the orchestrated efforts of @NigeriaGov to shut them up, threaten, taunt, brutalize them and generally act detached from their suffering.
“Such triggering display of empathy deficit has obviously strengthened the resolve of the Protesters to continue into Day5 of their Protests as we can now all see.
“The @NigeriaGov @NGRPresident @officialABAT @nassnigeria @NGRSenate @HouseNGR and Governors of State and their State Assemblies still have a slim window of opportunity on this Day5 of the nationwide protests to swiftly do the right things by their Citizens who are asking them to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria:
“Go out NOW to their Protest Grounds across the Country and ENGAGE your Citizens. Hear them express their Demands to you directly. Do not lock yourselves away behind the High Gates of your publicly-funded State and Government houses enjoying indulgent lives while your Citizens are out there crying out in pain from the severity of economic hardship induced hunger and anger.
“The @NigeriaGov @NGRPresident @nassnigeria and Governors of State and their State Assemblies, go out NOW and start connecting with your Citizens:
“Listen. Listen. Listen.
“Engage. Engage. Engage.
“Persuade with Factual Counterpoints
“Present Convincing Plan of Action to Address their Short Term grievances.
“For the medium to longer term issues, @officialABAT and the @nassnigeria should convert the current Crisis to a *Golden Moment of Opportunity* for a Reset of Nigeria. Every reasonable Nigerian knows that Nigeria in its present state cries out for a RESET.
“The mounting restiveness of our Citizens across the country is but a symptom of deeper structural problems for which @officialABAT should lead the rest of political leaders and Citizens’ representatives nationwide to a present sound plan for a credible National Conversation focused on the Most Effective Structure and Direction for Good Governance at all levels for productivity, competitiveness, prosperity, justice, equity, equality, order, peace, harmony, stability and resilience.
“The Choice is in your hands still @NigeriaGov.”
