Daniel Bwala, a former spokesperson for the Atiku-Okowa presidential campaign, advised traders not to hoard necessities in the face of Nigeria’s economic hardships in a Daily Post article. Hoarding, according to Bwala, worsens the situation of the populace and jeopardizes attempts to stabilize the economy. He emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to tackling issues related to the economy and security, stressing Tinubu’s interaction with stakeholders and his offer of assistance to states in raising their standard of living.
Assuring Nigerians of President Tinubu’s dedication, Bwala stressed the importance of optimism amid prevailing difficulties. He noted Tinubu’s proactive measures in empowering states to utilize resources effectively, particularly emphasizing the significance of revenue generated from fuel subsidy removal. Bwala urged citizens to scrutinize state governance, citing protests as indicators of inadequate leadership. He emphasized the need for accountability and urged citizens to demand tangible improvements in state administrations.
In a call reminiscent of Igbo wisdom, Bwala likened hoarding by traders to self-sabotage, urging them to prioritize ethical conduct over profit-seeking ventures. He condemned the practice of withholding goods, attributing it to market instability and adverse effects on consumers. Bwala’s admonition resonated with the principle of free trade, emphasizing fair pricing mechanisms driven by market dynamics rather than artificial scarcity. He implored traders to uphold integrity and embrace transparency, echoing sentiments of collective responsibility in fostering a robust economic environment.
Posting on X, Bwala wrote: “With revenue coming from the removal of fuel subsidy, the states have enjoyed an optimum increase in allocations, it’s up to them to deploy the resources to better the lives of people in their states.
“Protests coming from states also show how poorly governors are governing their people. People should also put their focus on states and ask the right questions; what exactly has changed in states, since the increase in revenue allocations?
“Finally, like the Igbo adage “Madu kan naya” meaning “man is the enemy of man” traders and businessmen should desist from speculations and hoarding basic things like food from the populace. It is shameful that some traders who hoard goods and items turn around to say the economy is doing bad, when in fact the economy thrives on free trade where pricing is determined by “market forces”, not “market hoarding.”
