Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State and a former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the escalating hunger and economic hardship facing Nigerians.
Speaking in Osogbo, Oyintiloye said there is a need for a quicker and more impactful response to alleviate the suffering of the people.
He acknowledged Tinubu’s efforts but stressed that a faster approach was necessary to combat the growing economic difficulties, including the steep rise in food, petrol, electricity, and cooking gas.
Oyintiloye expressed concern that the recent increase in fuel pump prices would exacerbate the existing hardship, urging the President to remove bureaucratic obstacles that delay the implementation of policies designed to provide relief.
“The economic suffering of the masses is becoming unbearable, and the President must act swiftly. Nigerians are hungry,” Oyintiloye said.
He also brought to fore the delay in implementing the suspension of customs duties and taxes on imported food items, a measure intended to combat rising food inflation.
Despite assurances from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, that the policy would begin once guidelines were ready, Oyintiloye noted that it has yet to be put into effect nearly two months later.
“The President is doing everything he can, but those responsible for policy implementation must not act as roadblocks.
“The 150-day duty-free window for the importation of maize, husked brown rice, and wheat is still not in place, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
Oyintiloye called for continued support for President Tinubu, urging Nigerians to be patient as the President works to implement policies that, while potentially painful in the short term, are intended to bring long-term benefits.