From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
A political analyst, Emmanuel Ogar Oko, has lamented the soaring cost of energy and worsening economic conditions in Nigeria, describing the situation as alarming and beyond the expectations of ordinary citizens.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists in Calabar, Oko accused the handlers of the nation’s economy of lacking the necessary knowledge and focus to address the country’s mounting challenges.
“The handlers of the nation’s economy are bereft of knowledge, hoodwinked, and sadly trapped in the politics of 2027,” he said.
He expressed concern over the continuous increase in electricity tariffs and the rising prices of petroleum products across the country.
According to him, a kilogram of cooking gas now costs nearly N2,000, while petrol sells between N1,350 and N1,700 per litre depending on location.
He added that kerosene currently costs about N2,300 per litre.
“The cost of energy is now higher than the cost of living itself,” Oko stated.
He further noted that many Nigerians now live in a perpetual state of fear and uncertainty due to economic hardship and insecurity.
“As if that is not enough, most Nigerians now live in a constant state of panic,” he said.
Oko pointed out that transportation costs have become unbearable, making travel difficult for many citizens.
He also highlighted the impact of insecurity on education, religious activities, industrial production, and agriculture.
“Students can no longer learn freely without the fear of abduction. Worshippers are abandoning places of worship for fear of kidnapping. Factories and industries are shutting down, while farmers are avoiding their farmlands and forests, leading to reduced agricultural production,” he said.
The analyst warned that if urgent measures are not taken to address the country’s economic and security challenges, Nigeria’s economic viability could be severely undermined.
He further alleged that herders, ritualists, and kidnappers continue to pose significant threats to public safety, while the quality of life for many citizens continues to decline.
“Herders are on the rampage. Ritualists are on the prowl. Kidnappers are lurking everywhere. Life expectancy is falling, and life itself is becoming short, harsh, brutish, and cruel.”
“Drawing from the political philosophy of English thinker Thomas Hobbes, Oko concluded:
“Perfectly put, we are now in a state of Hobbesian mobocracy,” he concluded.