The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ismaeel Ahmed, has stated that government reforms must be accompanied by empathy and effective grassroots engagement to ensure public understanding and acceptance.
Ahmed stated this while speaking at a special Democracy Day lecture held at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, as part of events commemorating Nigeria’s 26 years of unbroken democracy.
The event was themed “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms”.
Ahmed said that while tough economic policies were often necessary, they become more acceptable when citizens understand the reasons behind them.
“I think these economic reforms, decisions, or policies that are sound are usually unpopular because they are tough. The people who have the responsibility of explaining them to the general public are not just government appointees, but those elected by the people,” he said.
Kehinde, an animal feed seller at the Kara cattle market, says sales haven’t been encouraging. (Photo by Nosakhale Akhimien / Channels Television)“The President and the Vice President need to move around the country and talk to people directly. When people are going through pain, they want to hear from those they cast their votes for — that matters a lot,” the APC chieftain.
READ ALSO: Tinubu’s ‘Audacious’ Reforms Rescued Nigeria’s Economy From Tipping Point — Soludo
According to him, while policies may be technically sound, their communication must be humanised and decentralised to foster public understanding.
“Reforms are necessary, but they have to come with empathy. What does empathy mean? It means ‘I feel your pains, I understand what you are going through.’
“The moment people understand why, it becomes easier for them to endure the how. But that has to come from elected officials — governors, the President, Vice President, and members of the National Assembly.
“It has to be more than just talking in Abuja or making policy statements. It has to cascade. Policy prescriptions are usually technical; you need to break them down. That’s why you need politicians to speak to the people and carry the message downwards,” he stated.
‘Sub-Nationals Have A Role’
When asked whether such expectations place too much responsibility on the Presidency, Ahmed said sub-national governments also have a critical role to play and must not shift blame solely to the Federal Government.
“I heard a governor three weeks ago telling his people that the removal of fuel subsidy was a Federal Government decision. That’s not right — he has received more money as a result but is not telling them that part. Engagement is what democracy is all about.
“There have to be people at every level holding those in power to account. Unfortunately, we have more of that at the national level. Civil society is more responsive at the national level, and the media is more responsive at the national level — and sub-nationals get away with a lot of things,” he said.
Ahmed’s remarks come amid growing public frustration over the impact of reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since assuming office in May 2023.
These include the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates — policies that, while intended to stabilise the economy long-term, have led to soaring energy prices, transportation costs, and food inflation.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply