The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to step up efforts to alleviate the widespread hardship and suffering in the country. MUSWEN President and Deputy President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, made this appeal at the 9th MUSWEN General Assembly held on Sunday ¹.
Alhaji Oladejo emphasized that the current economic situation requires cautious handling and urged President Tinubu to demonstrate more empathy and implement measures to mitigate the suffering inflicted on citizens by some economic policies. He acknowledged that the situation is not a creation of the Tinubu administration but stressed that the government must utilize its powers to alleviate the people’s suffering ¹.
The MUSWEN President noted that Nigerians voted overwhelmingly for President Tinubu in the 2023 election, expecting him to improve their living conditions. He advocated for the allocation of gains from subsidy removal toward critical areas such as security, infrastructure development, electrification, food production, and employment-generating projects ¹.
Alhaji Oladejo also cautioned against food importation, stating that it would undermine the purpose of subsidy removal. He urged President Tinubu to consider the concerns of various groups regarding the proposed Tax Reform Bill ¹.
The 9th MUSWEN General Assembly was attended by prominent figures, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal ¹.
MUSWEN has been actively involved in distributing palliatives to those in need, considering it a moral and religious obligation. The organization’s appeal to President Tinubu reflects the growing concern among Nigerians about the country’s economic situation ¹.
As the country navigates these challenges, the call from MUSWEN underscores the need for collaborative efforts between the government and various stakeholders to address the hardship and suffering faced by citizens.
