Kahsim Shettima, Nigeria’s Vice President has urged Nigerians to be responsible while protesting the current economic crisis, saying the current hardship was part of the government’s efforts to fix the country.
“We have to fix this country, and failure to do this is not an option,” Shettima said as many Nigerians endure excruciating economic pains.
The nation’s number two citizen made the remark on Sunday in Lagos during a Ramadan lecture organized by the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni.
Shettima spoke few hours after a warehouse belonging to the FCTA was looted in Abuja.
The current economic crisis has sparked protests in some part of the country, as hungry Nigerians attack public and private facilities in search of food.
The Organised Labour in the country has just ended a one-day protest in solidarity with Nigerians over the severe economic crisis rocking the country.
Speaking yesterday, Shettima said the country is passing through a difficult situation, adding that the citizens must endure as the government is trying to fix the country.
He said Nigerians should “express their feelings over our circumstances in a responsible and mature manner.”
According to him, “The leadership of President Tinubu recognizes that this Ramadan will come with severe challenges for most Nigerians.
“The road to where we are today was long and full of missed opportunities and tragic failures to build on our great potential.
“The consequences of our past are the stark realities we face today, such as rising cost of living and pessimism over our prospect to turn round our economy in the direction of growth and inclusive development
“We have to fix this country, and failure to do this is not an option. All the options we have are difficult and challenging, and they are, without a doubt, more telling on the poor. If there were easier and reliable alternatives to the policy choices we have adopted, we would have adopted them.”
Shettima was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.
