Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic Policies But Nigerians Are Starving
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration clocks two years in office, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), has applauded the president’s economic reforms. But across Nigeria, the applause is drowned out by the loud cries of hunger, frustration, and disillusionment.
At the Timelineng Lecture in Lagos, Buratai praised Tinubu’s “economic direction,” citing recent strategies unveiled at the Presidential Villa as “commendable.” But for millions of Nigerians, those policies remain nothing more than paperwork. The price of food is at an all-time high, fuel costs have skyrocketed, and survival is now a daily battle.
Empty Praise in the Face of Real Hunger
Buratai spoke of “positive indicators” in Tinubu’s economic policies but on the streets, there’s little sign of progress. The reality is bitter: salaries can’t feed families, jobs are drying up, and inflation is crushing the average citizen.
Yes, Nigeria may be drafting high-level strategies and holding economic summits, but what do those matter when a bag of rice now costs more than the monthly wage of a civil servant? How do press briefings help a mother trying to feed four children on a stagnant income?
Across the country, frustration simmers beneath the surface. From market traders to university graduates, the common sentiment is clear: Nigerians are hungry, angry, and tired of government excuses.
Security: Governors Must Stop Watching from the Fence
While defending Tinubu’s federal economic agenda, Buratai didn’t hold back on state governors. He criticized them for what he described as a passive approach to insecurity.
“The Constitution does not stop them from taking action,” he said, referencing the autonomy granted to states by Sections 4(7), 7(1), 11, and 215 of the Nigerian Constitution. “They are the Chief Security Officers of their states, yet many act like spectators.”
Insecurity has become a way of life in Nigeria. Banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and herder-farmer clashes continue to escalate, and citizens often wonder: What exactly are state governments doing with their security votes?
The Media: Between Truth and Trouble
Buratai also addressed the role of the media in national security. While acknowledging its power to inform and shape public opinion, he warned of the dangers of irresponsible journalism.
“We must not allow media narratives to fuel chaos,” he said. “But neither should we silence journalists in the name of national security.”
The media, he noted, must strike a balance reporting truth without becoming tools of division. However, many believe that government pressure on journalists is less about national security and more about suppressing criticism in a time of failure.
The Real Crisis: Governance Without Results
Beyond the speeches and policies, what’s clear is this: Nigeria’s crisis is not a lack of ideas, but a failure of execution, empathy, and accountability.
Buratai’s call for governors to “take the bull by the horns” on security is valid. But what about the bull of poverty, joblessness, and mass hunger? Who takes that by the horns?
How can citizens be expected to trust in a government that continues to tax their pain without providing relief?
The Verdict from the Streets
No amount of economic jargon can drown out the voices on the ground: We are tired. Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They are asking for food, jobs, electricity, and safety. Yet, after two years under this administration, many say things have only gotten worse.
If leaders continue to celebrate on podiums while their citizens queue for bread, then the system is truly broken.
Buratai may commend Tinubu. But Nigerians are still waiting for a government that feels their pain and puts their needs first. Until then, applause from the top will continue to sound like noise to those struggling at the bottom.
Reference
Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic Policies – But Nigerians Are Starving