*Says FG Detached From Reality

THE Obidient Movement has described the comments of presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, that he does not see the level of hunger many Nigerians complain about, as insensitive and reflective of a growing disconnect between government officials and the harsh realities confronting ordinary citizens across the country.

  Onanuga made the comment during a live television interview, saying he did not observe the widespread hunger being reported by many Nigerians.

    While defending his boss’s economic policies, he insisted on not personally see the level of hunger often highlighted in public discourse, arguing that several government programmes and infrastructure projects are already delivering benefits to citizens across the country, citing improvements in road infrastructure as one of the visible outcomes of the policies.

    He recounted a recent trip from Ibadan to Lagos:

“One day, I was travelling from Ibadan to Lagos, and Google Maps told me that there’s a go-slow in the approach to Lagos, and I decided to take Ijebu-Ode via Shagamu.008, ILE-MI

    “What struck me most was that I just found myself on a paved road, a concrete road. I said, ‘Wow, when was this one built?’

    “I found that our people, I mean, our Ijebu people, have stopped complaining. I said, ‘Oh, no wonder they now have a brand new road that’s not just an asphalt road, a concrete road.

    “I live in Ajah. Anytime I go to Lagos, and I ask Google Maps to tell me how soon I will get home, Google Maps will tell me one hour, seven minutes. Before, it was two hours, 30 minutes, and the reason for that is that we now have a coastal road that has shortened my travel time.

    “Is that not beneficial? What are people talking about, really?”

    Onanuga highlighted the Federal Government’s student loan initiative and access to low-interest credit facilities for workers as examples of policies aimed at easing financial pressures on Nigerians, saying: “If you are a parent and you have four children in university, and they’re able to access federal loans, which are interest-free, are they not benefiting?

     “If you are a civil servant and you can access the credit card, a very cheap loan at below interest, it is about seven per cent. Now people can access that loan at a single digit. Are they not benefiting as well?”

    He stated that public conversations about the economy often overlook some of the gains recorded by the administration, noting: “We have been pigeonholed into certain assumptions, certain conclusions.”

    The presidential spokesman also recalled a viral video from the early days of the Tinubu administration, which featured a voice-over suggesting widespread hunger among Nigerians, adding: “I think the President went to Lagos, he was coming from the Central Mosque, and somebody now did a voice-over, saying, ‘Ebi n pawa o,’ meaning we are hungry.

    “Since then, people have been saying that.”

    Although he acknowledged that Nigerians face economic difficulties, he, however, said his personal interactions with people around him do not reflect the level of hardship frequently portrayed in public discussions.

    “I’m a Nigerian. I have people working for me privately. I don’t see the level of hunger people are talking about, because I see them, and I keep asking them questions: ‘How are things, how are they adjusting, what are the problems?

  “If you have four children in a university and they can access federal loans, which are interest-free, are they not benefiting? If you are a civil servant and can access cheap loans, are you not benefiting?” 

    On concerns that government officials continue to enjoy privileges while citizens face rising economic pressure, the Special Adviser to President on Information and Strategy explained that some ministers were making sacrifices in the interest of public service by using their personal funds to sustain the running of their ministries due to limited capital releases.

    He stated that several members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had not received capital allocations in the latest budget cycle, forcing them to personally finance certain operational needs to keep their offices functional.

    “Today after a meeting, I spoke with the Minister of Finance. It will shock people that some ministers, during the last budget exercise said they didn’t receive capital money.

    “Some ministers, because they came into office to serve, have been using their personal funds to run their offices. They’re not collecting government money.”

    In its reaction to these comments, the Obedient Movement said they amounted to a dismissal of the daily struggles of millions of citizens battling rising food prices, shrinking incomes and worsening economic conditions, noting that many households are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities, while businesses continue to grapple with high operating costs, exchange rate volatility and declining consumer spending.

    The Movement argued that the country’s economic situation has deteriorated significantly over the years, citing the sharp depreciation of the Naira and rising cost of essential commodities as indicators of deepening hardship.

    Recalling that Tinubu, as opposition leader, was among prominent voices that criticised the President Goodluck Jonathan’s government over economic and governance challenges, the Movement lamented that current conditions have surpassed those criticisms, as Nigerians now grapple with unprecedented economic strain.

    It pointed at inflation, declining purchasing power and growing poverty levels as evidence of the hardship Nigerians now face, while expressing concern over the country’s security situation, noting that despite official assurances, many communities continue to experience attacks by bandits, terrorists and other criminals.

    The Obedient Movement said kidnappings, displacement of farming communities and disruptions to agricultural activities have continued to compound food insecurity and economic challenges, even as it questioned the impact of increased government revenues, following the removal of fuel subsidy, insisting many Nigerians are yet to see corresponding improvements in critical sectors, such as electricity, healthcare and education.

    Noting that citizens’ welfare and security remain the primary responsibility of government, the Movement urged the Tinubu administration to acknowledge the realities facing Nigerians and take concrete steps to address them, rather than dismissing public concerns.

    It charged government officials to focus on restoring economic stability, tackling insecurity and rebuilding public trust, rather making inflammatory statements and comments.