By Abubakar Yunusa
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has urged Nigerian leaders to prioritize the well-being of the country over selfish motives and greed. By working together to build a more just and inclusive Nigeria.
According to CHRICED, the current administration’s policies have only exacerbated the plight of the masses, with the removal of fuel subsidies being a prime example.
The center also lamented the failure of leadership in Nigeria, citing the stark contrast between the government’s claims of financial buoyancy and the harsh reality of citizens struggling with poverty and hardship.
CHRICED’s Executive Director, Comrade (Dr) Ibrahim Mualeem Zikirullahi, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday,called for accountability and patriotism in leadership, urging leaders to prioritize the welfare of the nation and its citizens.
The organization remembered the late Prof. Abubakar Momoh, a renowned scholar and activist, who dedicated his life to advancing Nigeria’s democracy.
CHRICED honoured his legacy by recommitting itself to the values he held dear, including democracy, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of society.
Zikirullahi said, “Nigeria is grappling with pervasive challenges, including hunger, insecurity, unemployment, killings, nepotism, and the absence of basic social amenities like reliable infrastructure, quality healthcare, electricity, and education.
“The leaders entrusted with addressing these issues have veered off course, treating politics as a profitable venture rather than a service to the people. Instead of prioritizing the nation’s welfare, they focus on accumulating wealth and securing the futures of their families, associates, and cronies.
“The removal of fuel subsidies has only exacerbated the plight of the masses, with the government’s hasty and ill-conceived policy further burdening citizens already struggling with hyperinflation and a decline in purchasing power.
“The stark reality is that prosperity is confined to the political class alone, while the majority of citizens sink deeper into abject poverty. The government’s continued implementation of policies that burden the masses only serves to compound their woes, further eroding faith in leadership and exacerbating socio-economic disparities.
“The National Assembly seems to have lost its way, fixating on trivial debates like the relevance of the old and new national anthem while ignoring pressing issues like corruption, insecurity, and unemployment.
“Nigeria urgently needs men and women who embody the spirit of patriotism, demanding accountability from the government in a straightforward manner.
” Our current leaders must adopt the values of patriotism and altruistic service, prioritizing the nation’s welfare and casting aside selfish motives and greed. By working together, we can build a more just and inclusive Nigeria, realizing the vision of the late Prof. Abubakar Momoh and ensuring his legacy lives on.”
