Fellow Nigerians, Concerned Citizens, and Advocates for Change,
Today, I am determined with a heavy heart to discuss a grave issue that has afflicted our nation since 2015: the scourge of multidimensional poverty created and perpetuated by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led governments of President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is not just about economic hardship; it is about a deliberate system that has weaponized poverty, rendering millions of Nigerians powerless, voiceless, and hopeless.
Let us take a deep dive into how poverty has been systematically used as a tool of oppression, its devastating effects on our people, and the urgent need to address this crisis to reclaim our nation.
The Creation of Multidimensional Poverty Under APC:
1. Economic Mismanagement and Rising Poverty
Since 2015, Nigeria has faced unprecedented levels of poverty, driven by:
• Recession and Inflation: Mismanagement of the economy under President Buhari led Nigeria into two recessions in five years. Inflation soared, eroding the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians.
• Collapse of the Naira: The naira’s devaluation under APC policies has made imports expensive and basic goods unaffordable, pushing more Nigerians below the poverty line.
• Unemployment Crisis: Joblessness reached alarming levels, with youth unemployment exceeding 50%. Millions of Nigerians capable of working have been rendered idle, compounding the poverty crisis.
2. Weaponizing Poverty
The APC government has used poverty as a means of control:
• Making Nigerians Dependent: By keeping the majority of the population impoverished, the government has created a situation where people are too focused on daily survival to demand accountability or challenge bad governance.
• Suppressing Voices: Poverty weakens the capacity of citizens to think critically, speak out, or organize for change. When people are hungry, they cannot protest; when they are desperate, they are easily manipulated.
• Vulnerability to Exploitation: Poor Nigerians are more likely to sell their votes during elections, making them tools in the hands of corrupt politicians who exploit their desperation.
The Devastating Effects of Poverty in Nigeria:
1. Erosion of the Middle Class
•During the PDP administration from 1999 to 2014, Nigeria saw the rise of a robust middle class, supported by investments in education, infrastructure, and private-sector growth.
• The APC government has destroyed this progress, wiping out the middle class through:
0 Unbearable taxes.
O High inflation rates.
0 Neglect of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of economic stability.
2. The Collapse of Institutions
• Labour Unions: The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), once a powerful voice for the masses, has been infiltrated and compromised by the APC government. The union no longer functions effectively to fight for workers’ rights or challenge exploitative policies.
• Civil Institutions: Institutions that once held the government accountable have been rendered powerless, leaving the poor with no recourse for justice or support.
3. The Social Consequences of Poverty
• Exploitation of Young Girls: Poverty has forced many young girls into prostitution, exposing them to abuse, exploitation, and hopelessness.
• Baby Trading and Rituals: Across Nigeria, poverty has given rise to a disturbing market where newborns are sold, often for ritual purposes, highlighting the moral decay fueled by desperation.
• Rise in Crime: Poverty and unemployment have driven many Nigerians into crime as a means of survival, creating a vicious cycle of insecurity and suffering.
4. Destitution and Hopelessness
• Millions of Nigerians now live without hope, struggling to find their next meal or a roof over their heads.
• With no credible institutions or safety nets, the poor are left to fend for themselves in a system that has abandoned them.
The Suppression of Dissent:
Under the APC government, citizens who dare to challenge bad governance face severe repercussions:
• Arrests and Detentions: Protesters and activists are routinely arrested, silencing voices of opposition.
• Intimidation and Fear: Fear of imprisonment or death has discouraged many Nigerians from speaking out.
• State-Sponsored Violence: Reports of peaceful protesters being attacked or killed highlight the government’s use of force to suppress dissent.
A Thriving Business of Poverty:
Poverty has become a thriving business under the APC administration:
• Corruption in Poverty Alleviation Programs: Initiatives like cash transfers and palliatives are riddled with corruption, benefiting political elites rather than the intended recipients.
• Exploitation of the Poor: The government’s failure to address systemic poverty ensures that the poor remain dependent on politicians for handouts, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation.
A Call to Action: Reclaiming Nigeria’s Future:
1. Holding the Government Accountable
• We must demand transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
• The APC government must explain how trillions of naira in public funds have been spent without improving the lives of Nigerians.
2. Restoring the Middle Class
• Revive policies that empower small businesses and promote job creation.
• Stabilize the economy to rebuild the purchasing power of Nigerians.
3. Strengthening Institutions
• Rebuild the Nigerian Labour Congress and other civil institutions to fight for the rights of the poor and hold the government accountable.
• Ensure that anti-corruption agencies function independently to tackle the root causes of poverty.
4. Investing in People
• Prioritize education, healthcare, and infrastructure to give Nigerians the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty.
• Create social safety nets to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
A Cry for Change:
Fellow Nigerians, the poverty crisis we face today is not accidental, it is the result of years of mismanagement, corruption, and deliberate policies designed to weaken us. Under the APC government, poverty has become a tool for control, a weapon used to render us powerless and voiceless.
But we cannot remain silent. Nigeria is bleeding, and her people are crying for help. It is time to rise, demand change, and work together to build a nation where every citizen can live with dignity, hope, and opportunity.
Let us stand united against the forces of oppression, reclaim our institutions, and fight for a better future. Together, we can break free from the chains of poverty and build a Nigeria that works for all its people.
Thank you, and May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Cry Thy Beloved Country … Cry Nigerians … Cry My Motherland
By: Ross Erazele Agazuma: PDP Chieftain, Edo Central Senatorial District
