Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration over its initiative to provide N8,000 cash palliatives to 12 million Nigerians over a six-month period. President Tinubu had written to the National Assembly seeking approval for the program, aiming to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The planned initiative has faced significant backlash from Nigerians, and Sowore expressed his discontent on his Twitter page, referring to Tinubu’s administration as a government of “renewed shege.” Sowore sarcastically questioned the government’s intention to provide palliative care to Nigerians for a period of six months with an amount that he calculated to be N53 per day.
Sowore’s comment reflects the widespread criticism that the proposed palliative program is inadequate and fails to address the pressing economic challenges faced by many Nigerians. The calculation of N53 per day highlights the perceived insufficiency of the cash transfer to provide substantial relief to those in need.
The backlash against the initiative underscores the need for comprehensive and effective measures to address the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, particularly in light of the removal of fuel subsidies. The concerns raised by Sowore and others reflect the demand for more substantial and sustainable solutions to alleviate the financial burdens faced by the population.
