Fatal Politics of Hunger and Palliatives in Contemporary Nigeria (Part I)

BY CHRIS UCHENNA AGBEDO  (PhD)

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In contemporary Nigeria, the intersection of hunger and the distribution of ‘palliatives’ has become a deadly dance, resulting in tragic incidents such as the recent fatalities during the Customs sale of rice in Lagos and the stampede at Nasarawa State University. These events lay bare the fatal consequences of mismanagement, neglect, and the politicization of relief efforts in the face of dire socio-economic realities. The rush to purchase subsidized rice resulted in chaos and tragedy, highlighting the desperation faced by many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet in a harsh economic climate. Similarly, the stampede at Nasarawa State University, where students lost their lives during a rice palliative distribution, underscores the deadly consequences of neglecting the needs of the most vulnerable. What should have been a gesture of support and assistance turned into a scene of horror, thus bringing to the fore the callousness and incompetence of those in power.

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The stampede in the last week of February 2024 that reportedly resulted in the deaths of seven people during the sale of seized bags of rice in Lagos by Nigerian Customs stands as a shameful national tragedy, shedding light on the systemic failures and disregard for human life that plague different levels of governance structure. The incident, which occurred as desperate crowds clamoured to purchase repackaged 25-kilogram bags of rice at a subsidized price of N10, 000.00, is a stark reminder of the dire socioeconomic conditions faced by many Nigerians. Rather than offering a lifeline to struggling families, the event descended into chaos and bloodshed, revealing the callousness and incompetence of those tasked with upholding the welfare of the citizenry. On Friday, 22 March 2024, another disgraceful chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with hunger-induced desperation was opened when stampede ensued during rice palliative distribution exercise at the Convocation Square of Nasarawa State University, Keffi Nasarawa State, resulting in the deaths of two students. The sad events of February and March in Lagos and Keffi respectively raise a number of pertinent issues bordering on the lethal politics of hunger and rice palliative distribution in Nigeria.

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First, the fatal politics of hunger and ‘palliatives’ reflects a broader failure of governance to address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria. The allurement of resort to short-term solutions that often exacerbate existing inequalities and tensions within society overshadows the saner thoughts for prioritizing more sustainable policies intended to uplift the most vulnerable. In the wake of crises and disasters, governments often deploy palliative measures to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable. However, in Nigeria, the distribution of these palliatives has taken a sinister turn, morphing into a weapon that exacerbates poverty and inflicts further harm on those it purports to help. The recent mismanagement and inequitable distribution of palliatives turned what should have been a lifeline for the needy into a lethal instrument of oppression and exploitation. Instead of reaching those in dire need, these palliatives have been hoarded, diverted, or distributed based on political patronage, leaving millions to fend for themselves in the face of adversity. The weaponization of poverty through mismanaged palliatives reflects a callous disregard for the welfare of the Nigerian people and a betrayal of the government’s duty to protect and serve its citizens. By denying access to essential resources and support, some relevant authorities tend to perpetuate a cycle of deprivation and suffering that deepens the divide between the haves and the have-nots. Moreover, the lethal consequences of mismanaged palliatives extend beyond immediate deprivation to long-term social and economic instability. When basic needs are left unmet, communities are destabilized, trust in government erodes, and social unrest festers, creating a fertile ground for further conflict and insecurity.

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Second, the concept of palliatives, originally designed as a stop-gap temporary measure, has regrettably transformed into a fixture of permanence. This metamorphosis serves as a stark indictment of leadership failures that have become hallmarks of modern governance in the country. The evolution of palliatives from a temporary solution to a chronic dependency underscores the failure of policymakers to address the root causes of poverty, inequality, and insecurity. ‘Band-aid’ solutions that offer little more than temporary reliefs have taken the position of sustainable intervention policies and programmes that empower communities and foster economic development. The distribution of palliatives has become a recurring response to crises and emergencies, yet the continued reliance on these temporary measures highlights a systemic failure to address underlying issues. Instead of serving as a stop-gap solution, palliatives have been normalized, perpetuating a cycle of dependency and neglect that undermines efforts to implement lasting solutions to national problems. The provision of palliatives represents a short-term response to immediate needs, offering relief to those facing acute hardship. However, the normalization of palliatives as a routine or permanent response to recurring crises obscures the need for more comprehensive and sustainable interventions to address the root causes of poverty, insecurity, and inequality. By treating palliatives as a quick fix rather than a prelude to permanent solutions, policymakers risk entrenching a culture of dependency that undermines individual resilience and community development. The reliance on palliatives fosters a sense of entitlement and perpetuates a cycle of handouts that fails to address the underlying structural issues driving poverty and deprivation as against empowering citizens to overcome adversity. The short-sighted approach, which entails resorting to ad hoc measures that provide temporary relief without addressing systemic issues, perpetuates a cycle of crisis-response, where emergencies are managed but underlying vulnerabilities remain unaddressed. The perpetuation of palliatives as a chronic dependency also speaks to the broader failure of the three tiers of government to meet the needs of the Nigerian people and foster inclusive growth and development, thereby enabling a culture of dependency to take root, perpetuating social inequalities, and undermining the dignity of citizens. It is against this backdrop that Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri’s declaration that the “offering of palliatives was not the lasting solution to the economic hardship in the country,” is quite instructive.

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Third, the distribution of palliatives has become synonymous with a haphazard and thoughtless approach to addressing the myriad challenges facing the country. The off-the-cuff model of ‘throwing money’ at problems, expecting to offer temporary relief without meaningful solutions overrides a well-thought out policy that addresses the root causes of poverty, inequality, and insecurity. Such quick fix model, which offers little more than temporary respite, hardly makes room for investing in sustainable solutions that promote economic empowerment, social inclusion, and community resilience. Without proper targeting and accountability mechanisms in place, resources meant for the most vulnerable most often end up in the hands of the well-connected or the politically influential, leaving those in greatest need without assistance. In the case of Nasarawa for instance, the decision to distribute such meager quantities of rice (5-kilogram bags) to tertiary students speaks volumes about the disconnect between policymakers and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. The bloody fallout of the palliative distribution in Nasarawa State underscores the systemic failures that plague Nigeria’s governance structures. From inadequate planning and coordination to the lack of transparency and accountability, the incident lays bare the dysfunction and incompetence that characterize the country’s response to crises. Moreover, the violence that erupted during the distribution of palliatives reflects the deep-seated frustrations and grievances of Nigerians who feel abandoned and marginalized by their government.

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The tragedy that unfolded at the convocation square of Nasarawa State University, where 5-kilo bags of rice almost interminably awaited the arrival of Governor Sule to inaugurate a rice palliative distribution, epitomized the profound emptiness at the heart of governance. The avoidable tragedy exposes the troubling trend of some political leaders prioritizing optics over impact, ceremony over substance. It is indeed a poignant image to contemplate: a governor preparing to inaugurate a rice palliative distribution, an event that should symbolize compassion and support for the most vulnerable members of society. Yet, instead of relief and assistance, what transpired was a scene of chaos and tragedy, as hunger-induced desperation claimed the lives of innocent students. The emptiness of the convocation square charade serves as a metaphor for the hollowness of governance in Nigeria, where symbolic gestures often take precedence over substantive action. Inaugurating a palliative distribution may seem like a noble gesture, but it rings hollow when it fails to address the underlying issues driving poverty and insecurity. Indeed, the sheer hollowness of executive inauguration of the palliative distribution, an event that turned what should have been a solemn duty into a state-sanctioned spectacle of inanity speaks volumes. Indeed, the tragic stampede at Nasarawa State University exposes the emptiness of symbolic gestures in governance – the tendency for some political leaders to prioritize optics over substance, ceremony over action. The students’ impatience, fueled by prolonged waiting for the arrival of the state governor to officially inaugurate the rice palliative distribution, culminated in a desperate rush to obtain the promised relief. In frenetic moves that threw all caution to the wind, the desperate students scampered and clambered over themselves as they scaled through the walls and fences to rush the paltry 5-kilo bags of rice. Pandemonium ensued in the chaotic process, leading to injuries and fatalities in a heartbreaking stampede. This avoidable fatal incident lays bare the perilous consequences of bureaucratic delays and the undue emphasis placed on ceremonial events over timely and effective action. In a country where deep-seated socio-economic challenges diminish the citizens at every turn, the spectacle of celebrating such a thoughtless poverty alleviation measure with such unbridled pomp and pageantry of media glitz and razzmatazz, serves as a stark reminder of the poverty of the mind and the incompetence that plague governance in Nigeria. The choreographed hype and ostentatious display surrounding the inauguration of the rice palliative distribution policy belies the fundamental flaws inherent in its conception and implementation. It reflects a superficial approach to governance—a mere tinkering at the edges of systemic issues without offering substantive solutions. Indeed, the decision to prioritize rice as the primary form of palliative reveals a profound lack of understanding of the complex realities facing Nigerians. While rice may provide temporary relief from hunger, it does little to address the underlying structural inequalities that perpetuate poverty and deprivation in the country except to offer little more than symbolic comfort, which such grand gestures were meant to achieve. The poverty of governance reflected in Nasarawa’s rice palliative distribution fiasco extends beyond mere incompetence; it embodies a profound disconnect between the ruling elite and the plight of the masses. By prioritizing photo ops and spectacle over substance, the state government demonstrated utter disregard for the everyday struggles of ordinary Nigerians, further eroding public trust in the government’s ability to address their needs.

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AGBEDO is a Professor of Linguistics & Director of Centre for Igbo Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

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Watch out for Part II tomorrow