The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the deepening economic suffering experienced by Nigerians. Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullah, the President of the Council, made this declaration during a conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
He expressed grave concern over the heightened hardships faced by Nigerians, citing the steep increase in the prices of essential commodities and services nationwide. According to Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullah, the cost of goods and services has risen sharply, making it unbearable for the people. “What used to cost N200 is now being sold at N2,000. Nigeria’s current state is marked by cash scarcity, unemployment, and economic challenges,” he stated.
This troubling situation is supported by data from the National Bureau of Statistics, revealing headline and food inflation rates of 28.92 per cent and 33.93 per cent, respectively, in December 2023. Additionally, Okechukwu Unegbe, a financial expert and former president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, has asserted that the actual inflation rate in the country exceeds 40 per cent.
These developments unfold against the backdrop of fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the Naira in June 2023, exacerbating the economic strain on Nigerians.
The stern rebuke from the Shari’ah council signifies the growing discontent and hardships faced by Nigerians, placing a spotlight on the pressing need for effective measures to alleviate the economic challenges gripping the nation.
