Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on President Bola Tinubu to move beyond rhetoric and implement decisive measures to tackle Nigeria’s escalating poverty crisis.
Falana’s statement, issued on Sunday, came in response to the President’s recent appeal to governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intensify efforts in addressing citizens’ economic hardships.
During a meeting with APC governors, Tinubu acknowledged the severe economic challenges facing Nigerians due to neoliberal policies, urging state leaders to “wet the grass more” and deliver tangible improvements.
However, Femi Falana argued that such appeals are insufficient without concrete federal action. He emphasised that suffering persists nationwide, with citizens at the grassroots level continuing to voice their distress over worsening living conditions.
The senior advocate specifically challenged the Federal Government to demonstrate leadership by properly funding and implementing existing welfare programs.
“Rather than merely begging state governments to act, President Tinubu should ensure the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act is adopted and operationalised across all 36 states,” Falana stated.
Femi Falana further criticised the allocation of billions of naira for government house renovations while millions of Nigerians struggle with necessities.
He urged all tiers of government to prioritise impactful social policies over cosmetic projects, stressing that only substantial investments in poverty alleviation programs can meaningfully address the people’s suffering.
The legal luminary’s intervention highlights growing public frustration with the government’s approach to economic hardship, as calls intensify for more decisive action beyond political statements and appeals to subordinate governments.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
