Tinubu’s 2-yr marked by hunger, hardship, poverty, insecurity — JAF

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The Joint Action Front (JAF), the umbrella body for pro-masses civil society organizations (CSOs), has described the two-year administration of President Bola Tinubu as being marked by mass hunger, economic hardship, increasing poverty, and a rise in insecurity.

JAF, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Abiodun Aremu, said President Tinubu marks two years in office today. According to the group, the administration began with a bold policy shift that affected the working class and the poor, creating numerous socioeconomic challenges.

The group criticized the removal of the petrol subsidy, currency devaluation, increases in electricity tariffs, and hikes in school fees at tertiary institutions, describing them as economic decisions that have worsened living conditions.

‘As a result, the cost-of-living crisis has worsened. The standard of living for the vast majority has declined significantly, leaving many more people impoverished. The main features of the past two years have been mass hunger, economic hardship, increasing poverty, and a corresponding rise in insecurity,” the statement noted.

JAF also expressed concern over what it views as restrictions on democratic rights. The group alleged that government responses to peaceful protests have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, leading to the arrest of activists.

The organization commended Nigerian youths and working people for continuing to defend their rights and remaining active in civic spaces. It called for the immediate and unconditional release of young people detained or standing trial in connection with the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests and other actions related to economic hardship.

It said those still being held include Michael Adaramoye, Daniel Akande, and nine others currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges including treason, allegedly for carrying placards with messages such as “End Bad Government.”

JAF urged the working class, youth, pro-people organizations, and trade unions to continue advocating for policies that protect the poor and uphold democratic values. The group also encouraged the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC to intensify efforts to defend the rights and welfare of the working class.

‘We strongly believe that the lack of sustained mass mobilization or resistance by organized labour has emboldened the government to continue implementing policies that negatively affect the poor and undermine democratic rights,” the statement read.

The group also noted that the two other major candidates in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, supported similar policy frameworks. As such, JAF called for the formation of a genuine mass-based political party committed to an alternative socio-economic program and systemic reforms.

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“We advocate a fundamental system change—one that brings an end to what we view as failed economic policies such as privatization, deregulation, and devaluation. We believe in a new political and economic order under a just system that prioritizes the needs of working people and ensures the equitable use of the country’s wealth.”