Nonye Ezeayaeche, a 105-year-old veteran politician and activist, has called on President Bola Tinubu's administration to take decisive action to address the pressing issues of hunger and inequality in Nigeria. Ezeayaeche, who was the oldest presidential aspirant in the 2023 General Elections under the African Action Congress (AAC), made her appeal during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Ezeayaeche emphasized the importance of respecting the freedom of speech and the right to protest, as enshrined in Nigeria's constitution and those of other countries. She urged the government to heed the demands of Nigerian youths who recently engaged in 10 days of protests against hunger and bad governance.
"Mr. President, hunger persists in spite of the protests. Please take concrete action, address the agitation, demands, and requests," she stated, stressing the need for the government to ensure that the rights of all Nigerians are respected to foster peace and unity.
Fondly known as the "great, great, great grandma of Africa," Ezeayaeche condemned the hijacking of the protests by elements seeking to unleash destruction and attempt a regime change. She also called for the Federal Government to compensate the families of those who lost their lives or were injured during the protests.
Ezeayaeche further advised the government to establish monitoring groups to ensure that its programs reach the grassroots, clamp down on corruption, and provide equal opportunities to all Nigerians, particularly the youth. She highlighted the need for the government to avoid marginalizing any ethnic group and to ensure that justice is applied equally to both the rich and the poor.
Her remarks come at a critical time as the Tinubu administration faces growing pressure to address the economic and social challenges facing the nation.
