Nigerians Suffering More Than Ever, Ogomegbulam, Okolo, and Muo Blame Onanuga

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

NNEWI — Dr. Basil Ogomegbulam, National Coordinator of the Human Rights Justice Advocates (HRJA), criticized remarks attributed to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, concerning hunger and economic hardship in Nigeria.

Ogomegbulam argued that Onanuga is not positioned to accurately assess the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, citing his role within the current administration as a barrier to objective evaluation.

The rights advocate also rebuked Onanuga for linking the government’s performance to infrastructure projects, policy initiatives, student loan schemes, and credit facilities, insisting that these achievements do not erase the economic challenges many citizens face.

He expressed disappointment that individuals who once held governments accountable have become defenders of policies that many Nigerians believe have worsened living conditions.

“How times fly and how people change because of a change in status and proximity to power,” Ogomegbulam said.

He maintained that those serving in government should not determine whether citizens are suffering, emphasizing that people directly affected by rising living costs are better positioned to assess the reality on the ground.

In response, Chief Johnson Okolo, former President of the Osakwe Industrial Cluster near Onitsha in Anambra State, described Onanuga’s position as an attempt to defend the administration he serves.

Okolo argued that economic wellbeing should be measured by workers’ purchasing power and prevailing market realities rather than by infrastructure projects.

He challenged the presidential spokesman to evaluate whether civil servants’ salaries can sustain their families amid rising prices of food, cooking gas, and other essential commodities.

According to Okolo, many Nigerians believe that a privileged class benefits from government patronage and therefore may not fully appreciate the extent of hardship faced by the wider population.

“Any reasonable Nigerian should know that when you compare workers’ earnings with current market prices, it is obvious that many citizens are struggling,” he said.

Okolo further maintained that civil servants and other low‑income earners should be consulted when evaluating the country’s economic situation, rather than privileged government officials.

Similarly, Chris Muo, a legal practitioner and community leader from Amuro Okigwe in Imo State, said Onanuga’s comments reflected his responsibility as a government spokesman.

However, Muo insisted that Nigerians are experiencing severe economic difficulties, which he said have deepened under the current administration.

He added that while many citizens are reluctant to openly express their frustrations, the prevailing economic realities remain evident across the country.

The comments come amid ongoing public debate over the impact of government policies on the cost of living and the welfare of Nigerians.