Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, has expressed concern over the long queues for food witnessed nationwide during the festive season, describing them as a stark indicator of the hardship Nigerians are enduring under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Rhodes-Vivour remarked that he had never seen such desperation for food in his adult life.
Reports highlighted numerous tragic incidents during the season. In Abuja, stampedes led to fatalities, while in Anambra State’s Okija community, at least 20 people died during a rice distribution event. Similarly, in Ibadan, Oyo State, over 35 individuals, mostly children, lost their lives in a stampede at a carnival.
While acknowledging the necessity of macroeconomic reforms, Rhodes-Vivour criticized the government’s failure to implement measures to alleviate the resulting hardships for ordinary Nigerians.
“You can pursue macroeconomic reforms, but you must anticipate the ground-level shock and plan accordingly. What systems were put in place to cushion the impact?” he questioned.
He further criticized the lack of transparency in government initiatives meant to address the economic crisis.
“There was talk of cash transfers to citizens, but these funds were untraceable, with no accountability. At one point, food distribution efforts led to stampedes at Customs. This festive season was marked by unprecedented scenes of desperation. Nigerians queuing for food as early as 3 a.m. for an event set to start at 9 a.m. is a clear sign of the immense suffering,” he lamented.
Rhodes-Vivour called for better planning and accountability to address the plight of Nigerians struggling to meet basic needs.
