Hunger Protests on The Horizon -Agbakoba Issues Warning to FG

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, has issued a stark warning about a potential "hunger riot" in Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to take swift action. 

Speaking to journalists at his Ikoyi office in Lagos on Tuesday, Agbakoba highlighted the severe poverty preventing many Nigerians from affording basic meals. 

He pointed out that despite the country's vast oil and gas resources, these have been monopolized by foreigners.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija gathered that Agbakoba emphasized on the urgent need to prevent a scenario where desperate citizens might take to the streets due to hunger, potentially resorting to daylight theft from homes and shops. 

"A hunger riot can happen anytime in Nigeria," he cautioned.

Agbakoba also advised President Tinubu to overhaul his cabinet and reduce the cost of governance, arguing that the current setup of over 40 ministers is excessive. 

"President Tinubu needs to dismantle the cabinet. Having over 40 ministers is too large. We don’t need more than 20 ministers," Agbakoya stated.

As stated by OPEN TELEVISION Naija, The Legal Practitioner, urged President Tinubu to eliminate certain government agencies and broaden the tax base, claiming that some multinational oil companies are evading taxes. 

"Instead of increasing taxes, expand the tax net and target the delinquent international oil companies," he advised. 

This recommendation comes amid a steep 61 percent increase in food costs, which jumped from 25.25 percent in June 2023 to 40.66 percent in May 2024, underscoring the rising cost of living. 

The latest Consumer Price Index and Inflation report from the National Bureau of Statistics highlights this trend, revealing that headline inflation edged up by 0.26 percent to 33.95 percent in May, up from 33.69 percent in April. 

OPEN TELEVISION Naija also revealed the noted report, stating that the inflation has surged to its highest level in 28 years, driven by soaring food and transport prices. 

Given these alarming trends, Agbakoba emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent a potential hunger riot.