As part of efforts to douse the raging tension across the nation, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide has appealed to the Federal Government to immediately suspend government policies that can further aggravate Nigerians’ agitations until an amicable resolution is reached between parties.
Hon. Adedeji Olajide, who is the chairman, House of Representatives committee on Digital and Information Communication Technology, while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday, said implementation of some controversial government policies at this critical moment will further escalate the growing tension and anger among Nigerians.
He said policies and statements from government officials at this crucial time of our nascent democracy should be guided with utmost care and sense of responsibility, gauging the mood of the masses.
The lawmaker, who represents the Ibadan North-west/Ibadan South-west federal constituency of Oyo state at the national assembly, specifically cited the recent blocking of customers’ MTN lines and the alleged tariff increase by telecom operators as examples of policies that could further worsen the already growing tension among the masses.
He reaffirmed that the country’s official telecoms regulatory agency, NCC, has clarified its stand on misinformation. Government programmes and policies to be implemented at this delicate time must be well thought out before being made public.
He maintained that ” the people are angry, and government at all levels needs to be sensitive to their plight. The government must take immediate action to address the growing discontent among Nigerians.”
Olajide urged the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. That of the Head of Service to, as a matter of urgency, direct all its Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and parastatals to stand down on all policies and decisions that will further polarise the system by standing down on implementation pending when an amicable resolution will be reached to resolve the impasse.