*Says Nigeria sitting on keg of gunpowder
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples’ Democratic Party (nPDP), Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu’s government, accusing it of “perpetuating poverty” and silencing dissenting voices.
Eze’s outburst seeks to deflect the barrage of criticisms directed at a former Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, following his recent remarks on the dire economic situation in the country.
Amaechi had expressed surprise at the lack of public outcry over rising fuel prices and the cost of living, stating: “I expected more agitation, especially from the youth. You cannot have a situation where a group of people are mismanaging resources and expect citizens to remain silent.”
His words sparked a wave of responses from key figures, including the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga; Senator Shehu Sani and the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Felix Morka.
Eze condemned these responses as “unsavoury” and “intemperate jeers” aimed at silencing Amaechi for speaking truth to power.
He argued that Amaechi’s concerns are “true and very factual” in light of the economic hardships currently hitting Nigerians.
“Calling Amaechi ‘irresponsible and unpatriotic’ will never make one last forever in power, for power is so transient,” Eze declared, urging the Tinubu administration to “exercise utmost care on the way they treat people now that they have attained power because they may be down tomorrow.”
He further highlight Amaechi’s impressive track record in public service, pointing to his achievements as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor of Rivers State, and Minister of Transportation. Notably, he emphasised Amaechi’s role in grooming younger leaders, citing notable figures like Nyesom Wike, Magnus Abe, and Tony Okocha.
Eze also targeted the APC’s response through its spokesperson, Morka, describing him as a “neophyte” and calling on him to “keep quiet if he has nothing reasonable to do with his office.”
He accused the APC of “hurling invectives” at Amaechi instead of addressing the root causes of the country’s economic woes.
Furthermore, Eze pointed to the alarming statistics painting a grim picture of Nigeria’s economic reality. He cited World Bank reports highlighting the rising number of Nigerians facing severe food crises, soaring inflation, and a growing poverty rate.
He also highlighted the country’s failure to secure a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, a reflection of Nigeria’s deteriorating global image.
“Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder,” Eze warned, urging citizens to unite and “redeem the country from the claws of plunderers on the corridors of power.”
He concluded by referencing President Tinubu’s past criticisms of the Jonathan administration, highlighting the hypocrisy of his current stance.
Eze’s forceful statement serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated discontent simmering beneath the surface of Nigerian society.
While the current administration attempts to silence critics, the reality of economic hardship and political disenfranchisement continues to resonate across the nation.
It remains to be seen whether the government will heed the warnings and take concrete steps to address the pressing issues facing the nation.