Ajibola Basiru, the All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary, stated that the Federal Government is working tirelessly to tackle key dysfunctions in the Nigerian economy.

Basiru revealed this amid calls for a nationwide protest on August 1 against the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu.

On Wednesday, during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Basiru mentioned that 107,429 wheat farmers have been supported, and billions of naira have been invested in the agricultural sector.

He stated, “As I speak today when you go and check the cost of living crisis, it will be not only Nigeria, not only Africa, but even advanced capitalist economies. And what are the causes?

“You will know that production globally has not even resumed back to the level it was before COVID-19. What happened with the COVID-19 pandemic was practically a shutdown of the global economy for two years. And shortly after that, you have the Ukrainian war, which affected grid supply and some other essential supplies, not only to Europe but to other parts of the world.

“Then follow on the back of that was also the crisis in the Middle East. So when you look at what is happening in the world, it’s not localised in Nigeria, it’s not localised in Africa, but it’s a global change that all of us as statesmen, as politicians, must confront with patriotism and with a clear sense of direction as to the fact that we must galvanize our economy, ensure that production and infrastructure goes to the level to be able to let us deliver on the welfare and security of our people.”

Discussing the presidency’s commitment to agriculture, he emphasized that ensuring food security is crucial for addressing the economic challenges facing the country.

He stated, “So, you must also know that the government of APC, the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a reformist government. We are addressing some fundamental dysfunctionality in the Nigerian economy. One, we’re addressing the problem with a subsidized foreign exchange system that has made Nigeria not to be competitive in the global economy.

“We are addressing the total heist and dysfunctionality that the subsidy regime has brought to the energy sector in our country. We’re also tackling the age-long challenges of infrastructure deficiency that the president and our government are investing seriously in infrastructure to be able to govern and be able to deal with the economy. 

“And in terms of our promises in the area of agriculture, we know that food security is very key to being able to address economic challenges that we are facing in the country. As I speak today, I can speak to certain figures of what the government has done in that very vital sector of our economy. 

“As of today, not less than 118,857 hectares of wheat in 15 states have been cultivated. And this, we have also given support in this regard to no less than 107,429 farmers who are engaged in the area of wheat. Of course, billions of naira have been injected in the agricultural sector alone.”