The CDS, General Christopher Musa, has warned Nigerians calling for coup coup as a way out of the economic hardship in the country.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Against the backdrop of the biting economic hardship in the country and the desperation among obviously flustered Nigerians, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has warned Nigerians calling for coup as a way out. He rather urged Nigerians to maintain patience and respect the superiority of democracy over other forms of government.
Musa made the declaration on Thursday while speaking with journalists at the Nigerian Army 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, after commissioning some building projects.
With a touch of emphasis, General Musa urged individuals promoting military takeover to cease such statements.
The Chief of Defence Staff had earlier commissioned the newly constructed Entrance Gate and Officers Transit Accommodation at the 6 Division Headquarters.
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Protests have occurred in Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Niger and some parts of the country in the last few weeks over the hardship experienced in the country as Nigerians lament food inflation, high cost of living, amongst other harsh living conditions occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy, forex crisis, amongst others.
Cost of living has been on the rise, lately, forcing the African Development Bank (AfDB) to warn Nigeria and other countries in the continent facing similar challenges to take step to guard against social unrest.
Presently, bags of Rice that Nigerians bought at N30,000 previously, are currently sold at over N85,000 and above. Cement has gone up from N4,000 to N8,000 and beyond. The same measure of Garri that was sold at N1,200, currently goes for N2,500. House rents have gone up, transport fares hiked, companies are closing shops and families in disarray due to unbearable hardship.
The other day, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that the country’s inflation rate increased to 29.90 per cent in January 2024 from 28.92 per cent recorded in December 2023.
In response, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has slated February 27 and 28 for nationwide protest over the issue. In a more surprising twist, supporters of President Bola Tinubu, such as Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde “KWAM1” and a Nollywood actor, Olaiya Igwe, who campaigned for him, have raised the alarm over the increasing prices of commodities in the country.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar-led Northern Traditional Council has also warned that rising poverty, hunger and insecurity in the country may force the people to revolt against the government.