From Whips To Scorpions: Nigerians’ Burden Under Tinubu’s Government

BY ISAAC ASABOR*

In 1 Kings 12:11, it says, My father put a heavy yoke on you; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions, echoes Nigerians’ current experiences. This biblical passage serves as an appropriate metaphor for the situation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has seen economic hardship worsen in the footsteps of his predecessor.

Nigerians groaned under the weight of economic instability, high unemployment, rising prices, and insecurity during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The heavy yoke was felt throughout the country, but many hoped that a change in leadership would relieve their burdens. Instead, the opposite has happened.

Since taking office, President Tinubu has implemented policies that have exacerbated the suffering of the average Nigerian. The removal of subsidies, combined with skyrocketing fuel prices, has exacerbated inflation, deepened poverty, and pushed even more families below the poverty line. Nigerians who once struggled under Buhari’s “whips” now feel like they are being “scourged with scorpions” because Tinubu’s economic policies have resulted in an unbearable increase in the cost of living.

This Biblical imagery is not exaggerated. With the value of the currency plummeting, the cost of basic goods and services rising, and the country’s debt ballooning, the average Nigerian is reeling from the consequences of these policy decisions. Just as the scourging of whips and scorpions implies escalating punishment, many citizens wonder when, if ever, the burdens will be relieved.

Instead of providing a respite, the Tinubu-led government has tightened the screws, leaving many Nigerians wondering when they will see relief. Whereas Buhari’s government was deemed difficult, Tinubu’s is regarded as crushing. The “scorpions” of higher prices for nearly all goods and services as a result of unprecedented inflation and economic uncertainty sting deeply, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s psyche.

This biblical parallel describes Nigeria’s never-ending cycle of hardship. Will the scourging come to an end? Nigerians are left waiting and hoping for leadership that will finally lift their burden, rather than adding to it.

There is a warning, just like in the scripture. Leaders who continue to place additional burdens on their people with no clear path to relief must recognise that the consequences of such actions may be far-reaching. It is time for the Nigerian government to rethink its strategy and truly address its people’s suffering before the scourge becomes unbearable.

At this point, it is prudent to urge President Tinubu to relieve Nigerians of the scourge of economic hardship, as the burden becomes increasingly unbearable with each passing day.

Since he assumed leadership in May 2023, Nigerians have faced unprecedented economic hardship. While the country has long been used to difficult times, the current situation has reached a point where daily survival for many is nearly impossible. The policies and economic measures implemented by this administration, while intended to stabilise the economy, appear to exacerbate ordinary Nigerians’ suffering.

Nigerians are now facing an unprecedented cost of living, owing to the removal of fuel subsidies and soaring inflation. The cost of basic goods, transportation, and housing has risen dramatically, making daily life unaffordable for millions of people. Food prices, in particular, have risen, with staples such as rice, beans, and cassava, which are the bedrock of Nigerian diets, becoming luxuries for many. While the wealthy may find ways to overcome these obstacles, the masses, who form the country’s backbone, suffer in silence.

A quick trip to any market in Lagos, Abuja, or any of Nigeria’s other crowded cities will reveal the growing dissatisfaction. At a market in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, a woman named Iya Wale lamented, Shebi dem tell us that cassava, ewa, and agbado go cheap when we vote for them, but today we can not buy dem for market. This echoes the sentiment of many Nigerians who believe the current administration has betrayed its promises.

As if that were not enough, the national currency, the naira, has plummeted, making imports even more expensive and exacerbating the situation for local businesses and consumers alike. The ripple effect has spread across all sectors, including healthcare and education, leaving many Nigerians groaning under the burden of high-cost goods and services. The hardship is no longer just an inconvenience; it has evolved into an existential threat.

In a country with already high unemployment rates and businesses struggling to stay open, the situation is quickly becoming a recipe for disaster.

While it is true that Tinubu’s government has inherited some of these issues from previous administrations, it is also clear that the current course is unsustainable. Nigerians need help now more than ever. They require policies that will alleviate their burden, not increase it. It is insufficient to make lofty promises or announce palliative measures that fail to reach their intended recipients. Concrete measures must be implemented to address the underlying causes of the economic crisis.

First, strategic intervention is required in critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. Nigerian farmers, for example, should receive strong support to increase domestic food production, reducing reliance on imports and lowering food prices. Furthermore, the government must urgently address the power supply issues that are crippling businesses, ensuring that industries can thrive and create jobs for millions of unemployed youths. However, in Lagos, the electricity supply has improved, and thus, progress should be made.

Second, Tinubu’s administration must work to stabilise the naira and reduce inflation. A combination of sound monetary policies, fiscal discipline, and transparency in governance will help to restore economic confidence. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance must work together to reduce the current economic volatility.

Third, social welfare programs should be redesigned to ensure that society’s most vulnerable people receive the assistance they require. Palliative care must be distributed transparently and efficiently, whether through cash transfers or food supplies. Government intervention should have an impact on all Nigerians, not just a few.

Finally, there must be an immediate dialogue between the government and key stakeholders, such as labour unions, civil society organisations, and the business community, to chart a course forward. The current approach of implementing economic policies without meaningful consultation will only lead to increased alienation of the people.

President Tinubu, you entered office with a vision of a better Nigeria. While nation-building is not an easy task, the current situation is too much for ordinary citizens to bear. Nigerians are resilient, but not invincible. If the current economic direction is not reversed, the consequences could be disastrous, not only for citizens but also for the country’s overall stability.

Now is the time to take action. Nigerians are pleading for help with the scourge of economic hardship. They want you, their president, to hear their cries and keep your promises of a better future. Leadership is about more than just making tough decisions; it is also about ensuring that those decisions improve people’s lives. Tinubu, the people are waiting. Free Nigerians from the unbearable burden expressed in 1 Kings 12:11, which reads, My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips, and I will scourge you with scorpions.