Some Northern youths have set ablaze the Nigerian national flag in protest against the escalating cost of living and persistent economic hardship in the country, which it blamed on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight-month administration.
In a viral video, the youths ignited the national flag while lamenting the dire economic conditions for the generality of the citizens while governments embark on extravagant expenditures on non-essential matters.
According to the youths: “We voted you (referring to President Bola Tinubu) into power. But see the situation we are in. People are feeding on leaves while you are living in an affluent manner. A packet of Spaghetti is now N700 and beyond the reach of the poor.”
They also mentioned Nigeria’s 1-2 loss to Cote d’Ivoire at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday, saying: “We thank the almighty God for Nigeria losing the football competition. We pray Nigeria does not win anything if this is how the country is being governed. We are tired of everything.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has continued to urge Nigerians to persevere, admitting that though his “radical economic reforms” have plunged the majority of Nigerians into hardship, it was necessary for the economic prosperity that would follow.