The Concern Nigerian Forum (CNF) has issued a call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to be more sensitive to the challenges faced by Nigerians.
The group raised concerns about the increasing unemployment rate in Nigeria, which rose from 4.2 per cent to 5.0 per cent in the third quarter of 2023, as reported in the latest Labour Force Survey.
In a statement released by the convener, Mr Patrick Guobadia, the CNF labelled Tinubu’s recent comments as “insensitive.”
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The statement referred to an incident on Thursday when President Tinubu challenged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and warned them against considering themselves the sole voice of the people.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Lagos Red Line Train connecting Agbado to Oyinbo, Tinubu criticized the NLC’s recent protest and emphasized that the union should recognize it is not the only voice in Nigeria.
He further asserted that calling for a strike within the first nine months of an administration is unacceptable.
“Allow me to throw a jab here. The Labour Union should understand that no matter how much we cling to our freedom and rights, to call for a strike within 9 months of an administration is unacceptable,” Tinubu remarked.
He continued, “If you want to participate in the electoral process, meet us in 2027. If not, maintain peace. You are not the only voice of Nigeria.”
In response, CNF expressed dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s stance, arguing that the President failed to grasp the daily hardships faced by Nigerians, particularly during the nine months of increased economic difficulties.
Mr Guobadia remarked, “It’s true that Tinubu’s administration is new, but it does not give credence to his statement. I think it lacks understanding for Nigerians, particularly civil servants whose current minimum wage falls around N30,000.”
The CNF emphasized that the right to protest and voice concerns is inherent to Nigerians, and a responsible government should listen and understand their grievances.
The group urged President Tinubu to refrain from following the pattern of past Presidents who dismissed the complaints of Nigerians while relocating their families abroad for better living conditions.
The statement concluded by calling for a more empathetic approach to addressing the challenges faced by the citizens.
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