Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan warned of potential mass protests if the three arms of government fail to collaborate on reducing skyrocketing food prices and high electricity tariffs.
Lawan’s comments came during a debate on a motion concerning “food insecurity,” sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West in the Nigerian Senate.
Lawan emphasized that the Nigerian populace should not be underestimated amidst the worsening economic hardships.
“If we don’t take urgent actions on increased food prices and electricity tariffs, we will not like the actions we will see on the streets. We cannot take the people for granted for too long,” Lawan stated.
Senator Karimi, in his motion, pointed out the alarming rise in the prices of food staples, attributing it to the removal of petrol subsidies.
He noted that food prices have surged by over 300 percent, exacerbated by insecurity in food-producing regions, deteriorating roads, increased transportation costs, and the naira’s depreciation.
Karimi also accused merchants, traders, and retailers of exploiting the situation to make excessive profits, further burdening ordinary Nigerians.
“The greater percentage of the increase in prices of food items and consumables is not only due to these factors but to the zest of the merchants, traders, and retailers to make supernormal profits,” he said.
In response to the debate, the Senate called on relevant government ministries and agencies to address the problem urgently. The motion was adopted after being put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.