The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani, has warned the Federal Government to put in place short-term measures to cushion the effect of the current economic crisis on the Nigerian masses or risk the lives of the people before he completes his reforms.
Sani, who is representing Kaduna-Central Senatorial District at the Senate, said this in an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH.
The lawmaker, who criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for not having an independent economic team to drive Nigerian economy out of recession, pointed out that many lives would have been lost before the current reforms are completed.
He said, “If you happen to be in a position of power, inasmuch as you want to bring reforms that are painful, you have to understand the need for you to carry the people along because if you keep on bringing reforms and continue to unleash hardship on the people, you may as well say there is a paradise but people need to be alive to reach that paradise.
“If you keep reforming and reforming and the people are suffering and dying, you may reach the Promised Land alone because by that time everyone has died. Of what use would that be?”
Sani, who is the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, added that the goodwill the All Progressives Congress enjoyed at the polls, which led to the emergence of Buhari as president, was waning fast, especially with the increasing number of open letters on the hardships being suffered by Nigerians.
He said, “Let me tell you how it started, which is general with all persons who just took power in Nigeria. In 1979 and 1999, when a new president assumed office, he would have the support of all Nigerians. The first stage will be, ‘We support you; we stand by you and we are going to back you.’
“The second stage will be, ‘We are advising you.’ The third stage will be, ‘We are cautioning you.’ At the fourth stage, Nigerians will say, ‘We are warning you.’ The fifth stage will be, ‘We doubt you.’ The sixth stage, it will be, ‘You are incompetent.’ The seventh stage will be, ‘You should go.’”
“When you study these stages, you will see that we have moved behind 100 per cent support to “advise.” And with letters flying and criticisms following, it is about “cautioning.” And I think the handwritings are on the wall for everybody to see.”
PUNCH NG
