Oluyemisi Ayinde, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state, says President Bola Tinubu should act fast to address the economic hardship in the country to avoid the kind of protests witnessed in Kenya.
Protests broke out in Kenya after the parliament moved to pass a bill seeking to raise taxes in the East African country.
Kenyan President William Ruto has declined assent to the bill, but the protests claimed lives and also led to the destruction of properties.
In an open letter to Tinubu, Ayinde said the protests in Kenya served as warning signs because citizens of Nigeria and the East. African countries face similar situations.
“Your Excellency, the gravity of the situation cannot be overstated, and the potential for widespread civil unrest looms large, as the consequences of such upheaval would be overwhelmingly devastating for our nation,” the letter reads.
“The destruction of infrastructure, the loss of lives, and the disruption of economic activities would set Nigeria back by years, if not decades, undermining the progress we have strived to achieve.
“Your Excellency, the time to act is now, as the cost of inaction is far too great and the window to prevent nationwide unrest is rapidly closing.
“I hereby urge you, sir, to marshal all resources at your disposal and to leverage your esteemed leadership to guide our nation through this perilous juncture.
“Sir, history will judge us by our response to this critical moment, hence the need to demonstrate unwavering resolve and compassionate leadership, ensuring that our beloved Nigeria emerges stronger and more unified from these challenging times.”
The APC member proffered some solutions that could help the president prevent unrest.
“Establish a task force directly under the presidency to supervise the immediate sale and distribution of foodstuffs to the populace,” he said.
“Ensure transparency in government spending and accountability in the execution of economic policies. Initiate and fast-track long-term economic reforms aimed at diversifying the economy, enhancing agricultural productivity, and promoting industrialisation.
“Increase funding and support for the healthcare and education sectors to ensure that the basic needs of the populace are met, thereby reducing the pressure on struggling families.”