Rights activist urges FG to address hunger epidemic to avoid imminent coup

From Fred Itua, Abuja

Idris Usman, Executive Director, Cell-Hub, has called on the Federal Government to immediately address the hunger epidemic in the country in order to avert an imminent coup d’état.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Usman said as Nigeria navigates through challenging times, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands at a critical juncture where a decisive action is imperative to steer the nation away from a potential unrest.

He said the specter of a military coup, once dismissed as a relic of the past, looms large, not due to external threats, but as a consequence of internal discontent fueled by economic hardship and governmental mismanagement.

“At the heart of this simmering discontent lies the pervasive culture of frivolous spending by government officials at all levels – federal, state, and local. While the populace grapples with the harsh realities of inflation, unemployment, and inadequate social services, reports of extravagant lifestyles and unchecked graft among the political elite only serve to exacerbate tensions,” he said.

He said President Tinubu must heed the warning and take a swift and resolute action to curb the excesses of corruption and wasteful spending within the corridors of power.

He said: “It is no longer tenable to ignore the cries of the masses, whose patience wears thin with each passing day of economic uncertainty and inequality.

“Furthermore, the notion of a military coup as a response to public outrage should not be dismissed lightly. History bears witness to the fact that such drastic measures often arise from a sense of desperation among the populace when legitimate avenues for redress are perceived to be ineffective or inaccessible.

“To avert such a dire scenario, President Tinubu must prioritize the restoration of public trust through concrete measures aimed at transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of resources. This entails not only rooting out corruption within government institutions but also implementing policies that prioritize the welfare and well-being of all Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable segments of society.

“The time for rhetoric and half-measures has passed. President Tinubu must seize this moment to demonstrate genuine leadership and commitment to the ideals of democracy and social justice. Failure to do so not only jeopardizes the stability of the nation but also undermines the legitimacy of the government itself.

“The path forward for Nigeria hinges on President Tinubu’s ability to confront the scourge of corruption and address the pressing needs of the people. Let history remember this moment as a turning point towards a brighter, more prosperous future for all Nigerians.”