……Everybody is a walking ghost on the streets
By Fatima Saka
Senator (Dr) Victor C. Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has raised fresh concerns over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria, declaring that many citizens are now struggling to survive amid rising costs and declining living standards.
Speaking on the state of the nation in Abuja on Wednesday, Umeh said the level of hardship has reached a critical point, with citizens across all classes battling to meet basic needs.
“Everybody is a walking ghost on the streets of Nigeria. Nobody knows where the next meal will come from,” he said.
The senator noted that despite various policy decisions by the Federal Government, including the removal of fuel subsidy, the expected positive impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians has not materialized.
He described the situation as contradictory, questioning how subsidy removal has failed to translate into visible improvements in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“It is very absurd that subsidy has been removed and government is no longer paying for it, yet Nigerians are not seeing where the savings are going,” he said.
Umeh also raised concerns over the country’s rising debt profile, noting that continuous borrowing without clear accountability has heightened public anxiety.
“We have approved huge borrowings, including billions of dollars for infrastructure projects like the eastern rail line, yet there is little or no visible progress. The government has a lot to explain,” he stated.
He further criticised what he described as misplaced priorities, arguing that while large-scale infrastructure projects are imported, immediate attention should be given to the survival needs of citizens.
“People are looking for food to eat. That is the greatest challenge now. You cannot prioritise massive road projects when people cannot afford basic necessities,” he said.
On the broader economic outlook, the lawmaker said Nigeria’s weak production capacity and heavy reliance on imports continue to worsen the situation, calling for urgent reforms to boost agriculture and manufacturing.
He also lamented the poor welfare of workers, stating that salaries across the civil service are no longer sufficient to cover basic living expenses.
According to him, even the wealthy are not insulated from the crisis, citing rising energy costs and unstable power supply as additional burdens on households.
“The rich also cry. Everyone is affected. People are living on borrowed resources just to survive,” he added.
Umeh urged the Federal Government to adopt policies that directly impact citizens’ welfare and restore public confidence in governance.
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He also called on Nigerians to remain engaged in the democratic process, stressing that the 2027 general elections present an opportunity to elect leaders who are more responsive to the needs of the people.
“The hardship is real, and Nigerians must use their votes to bring about a government that truly understands and addresses their challenges,” he said.
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