The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly refuted claims made by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, suggesting that Nigerians are enduring economic challenges resulting from government reforms.
The civil rights advocacy group criticized Edun’s comments as disconnected from the true suffering of millions who are facing severe economic hardships and widespread poverty due to flawed policies, including the devaluation of the naira and continuous hikes in fuel prices.
In a detailed statement, HURIWA described the minister’s optimism as “political sophistry devoid of logic or empirical evidence,” highlighting the deep economic distress affecting Nigerians.
The organization noted that the silence from the populace, which Edun interpreted as resilience, is instead rooted in fear.
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Many Nigerians, HURIWA argued, are too afraid to voice their discontent due to threats of extrajudicial violence from security forces, recalling instances in August and October when peaceful protesters were met with lethal force.
HURIWA also called out the government’s failure to address the escalating cost of living, the soaring prices of essential goods, and the continuous failures of national infrastructure, particularly the power grid.
The group insisted that the dire situation is pushing Nigerians closer to a breaking point.
According to Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, while Edun claimed that the “teething problems” of economic reforms were over and that positive outcomes were beginning to surface, these assertions do not align with the reality of widespread poverty and economic collapse.
The group warned that, unless the government takes immediate, substantive action to stabilize the economy and curb the devaluation of the naira, widespread protests may erupt.
HURIWA emphasized that a starving population is an “angry population” and that many may soon choose to risk their lives in protest rather than endure the current hardships in silence.
The group further demanded that President Tinubu dismiss the Minister of Power, whom they accused of incompetence given the frequent grid collapses that worsen Nigeria’s economic woes.
HURIWA concluded its statement by urging government officials to abandon what it termed “political deceptions” and to focus instead on genuine economic recovery efforts that prioritize the welfare of Nigerian citizens.