As Nigerians protest hardship, govt policies, Osibanjo says “We hear you loud and clear”

…Spoke to Buhari yesterday
…Not under pressure to resign

 

As Nigerians across states of the federation took to the streets yesterday , Monday February 6, to protest the biting effects a of an economy in a downturn, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo assured that government is committed to relieving their pains.
Osinbajo added, “To those who are on the streets protesting the economic situation and those who are not, but feel the pain of economic hardship, we hear you.”
Speaking at the consultative forum of Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) between the Economic Management Team and the Organised Private Sector on the Economic Recovery Growth Plan, which is to be launched later this month, the acting president noted that Nigeria is indeed in a very serious situation, even as Nigerians have taken to protests, saying “things are hard”.

“We hear you loud and clear, those who are on the streets protesting the economic situation and even those who are are not, but feel the pain of economic hardship. We hear you loud and clear. You deserve a decent life and and we are working night and day to make life easier,”Osinbajo said at the Aso Rock event .

He further observed that the journey out of the damage caused by years of neglect and corruption in the country was bound to be difficult but called for calm and patience from Nigerians, urging them to wait “steadfastly and patiently for the economic change that
will come very soon”.

Still speaking at the consultative forum, Osinbajo borrowed the words of President Muhammadu Buhari, when he acknowledged the suffering in the land.

“I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis, the recession for many individuals and families is real. For some, it means not being able to pay school fees, for others it is not being able to afford the high cost of rice, millet, or of local or international
travel. And for many of our young people, the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic.

“I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary, and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not enough. In every part of our nation, people are making incredible sacrifices,” Osinbajo quoted from Buhari.

The Economic Recovery Plan which has 59 strategies, will be driven by strong political will, close partnership and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors (especially in the areas of Agriculture, Manufacturing, Solid Minerals, Services, and Infrastructure), as well as a rigorous implementation plan and an effective delivery unit.
On Monday, Nigerians took to the streets in Lagos and Abuja to protest the hardship in the country, resulting from the government policies.

In Abuja protesters at the Unity Fountain Tower carried different placards with inscriptions such as “Nigeria is for us”, “I stand for Nigeria”, “Nepa- Phcn- Disco- we pay for darkness in Nigeria”, among others.

The convener of the protest, Chidi Odinkalu, said the protest was borne out of love for the country, as “we don’t like the way things are going in the country, the cost of everything is high and even the cost of dying in Nigeria is expensive.

“Nigeria is between the devil and the deep blue sea and the government does not seem to understand” Odinkalu said, adding that this is a problem we must try and fix together as Nigerians, not with anyone trying to intimidate us by telling us we cannot do it. This is an act of defiance because the police told us that if we come out today they will shoot at us. No country gives its policemen guns to shoot the citizens,thank you”.
Another protester, Emma Onwubiko said the protest was held by Nigerians from all classes, irrespective of religion and tribe and that they had come out to say government policies were not working and something should be done to change them.

“The cost of living is too high and no Nigerian should shy away from the protest. We should all come out and fight for our rights,” he said.

Activist Aisha Yesuf, while addressing the protesters also noted that protest was needed to ensure that the “rights and privileges that the government enjoy should also be enjoyed by every citizen in this country, “we want change in Nigeria and if the government cannot give
us change, they should leave the seat, we need a new Nigeria”.

Addressing newsmen at the State House Abuja, Osinbajo said he spoke with Buhari yesterday (Monday) and gave him a briefing on all the happenings, including the protests in the country.

“The President is hale and hearty,I spoke to the President just this afternoon and we had a warm conversation. He was interested in knowing about the budget process and how far we have gone and the meeting today with the private sector and the economic recovery growth plan
and I informed him about the protest march and feedback about what people are saying about the economy. He is in good shape .

“Just as he said in his letter to the National Assembly, he needs to go for a cycle of test and once he sees the test results and gets medical advise, we expect him very soon” he said.
“I think that the health status of Mr. President is an issue that only Mr. President would discuss at the appropriate time. Again he is running tests and all of that. Before you will be able to determine your health status, you must be able to say this is my health status. I will do the test my doctors have advised me to do and will wait for
the outcome of the test and know my status” he said.
On allegations that he was under pressure to resign, Osinbajo said, “I am absolutely under no pressure to resign. I was voted for by the people of this nation,myself and Mr. President and so the people of this nation have not asked us to resign . I am absolutely not under
any pressure whatsoever. The truth is that they has been no pressure from any source asking me to resign”.