A former gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kwara State, Barrister Issa Manzuma has expressed concern over the state of the nation as Nigerians ushered in the new year 2025.
Speaking in Ilorin, Manzuma noted that the mood across the country was marked by mixed feelings of anxiety, confusion, poverty, and diminishing confidence in government at all levels.
He further highlighted the controversial tax reform bill, which has intensified public debate on the economy and exacerbated fears among citizens.
“The Federal Government must urgently adopt a blend of short- and long-term economic policies to address the growing hunger and frustration in the nation,” Manzuma advised.
Manzuma who is also a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin Branch, lamented the low budgetary allocation to agriculture in the 2025 budget, emphasising that the sector should have been prioritised as a critical driver for economic recovery and stability.
“Agriculture and measures to stimulate the economy should have been at the forefront, yet the sector’s allocation remains unimpressive,” he stated.
Manzuma called for immediate action to implement policies that would alleviate economic hardship and restore public confidence in governance.
