Economic Hardship: Unwarranted Utterances Against Tinubu's Government Attract Consequences

Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence

Making unwarranted utterances against President Tinubu's government will attract consequences Defence Minister tells Nigerians.

Mr Matawalle said that the President and his team were working to alleviate the burdens on the citizens. Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has said making 'unwarranted' and 'unguarded statements' against President Bola Tinubu's government over insecurity and rising food prices will have consequences.

Bello Matawalle, the minister of state for defense, warned that there would be repercussions for making “unwarranted” and “unguarded statements” critical of President Bola Tinubu's administration regarding rising food prices and insecurity.

According to a statement released on Friday by Henshaw Ogubike, the spokesperson for the ministry of defense, Mr. Matawalle “cautioned Nigerians against using inflammatory comments against the government.”

He remarked, “Unguarded utterances coming from some sections of the populace are incisive and destructive and can exacerbate tensions and lead to violence in our beloved nation.” Mr Matawalle said Mr Tinubu “is trying his best in tackling the economic challenges being experienced by Nigerians. The President and his team are tirelessly working to alleviate the burdens on the Nigerian populace, advising the agents of disunity to refrain from further unwarranted utterances, as such will have consequences.”

Following outrage over rising food prices and economic hardship, Mr. Matawalle issued his warning. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the nation's inflation rate rose from 28.92 percent in December 2023 to 29.90 percent in January 2024.

Protests against the high cost of food were held last week in Niger, Kano, and Osun states. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress called for a two-day nationwide protest in response to the problem. Amidst the developments, Nollywood actor Olaiya Igwe and Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde “KWAMI,” who supported Mr. Tinubu, have expressed concern about the nation's growing commodity process.

Also, the Northern Traditional Council, led by Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, issued a warning, claiming that the nation's growing poverty, hunger, and insecurity would soon push people to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's administration.