The Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State has expressed deep concern over a recently circulated video showing Lagos residents queuing for a loaf of bread. The party claims this scene is a stark reflection of Nigeria’s worsening poverty crisis.
Speaking on Friday, the state Chairman of LP, Pastor Dayo Ekong, described the situation as a symbol of a larger national problem, warning that Nigeria is grappling with a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by decades of poor governance, corruption, and a lack of accountability among the political class.
Ekong said, “As the Chairman of the Labour Party in Lagos State, it is with a deep sense of responsibility and urgency that I address the disturbing scenes of Lagosians queuing for a loaf of bread in the recently viral video.
“What we witnessed is not just an isolated incident but a heartbreaking reflection of the extreme poverty gripping our state and, by extension, the entire nation.”
Ekong highlighted the disparity between the luxurious lifestyles of political office holders, who earn millions of naira monthly, and the struggles of ordinary citizens who can barely meet their basic needs. She emphasized that this “blatant inequality” has resulted in widespread anger, frustration, and despair among the populace.
“The image of ordinary citizens standing in long queues for basic sustenance is a stark contrast to the lavish lifestyle led by government officials and the political elite, who seem disconnected from the struggles of the people they are supposed to serve,” Ekong said.
“Our citizens are not just hungry for bread; they are hungry for jobs, opportunities, education, and healthcare. They are hungry for a government that truly cares about their welfare. But what have we seen instead? A government more focused on serving its own interests than addressing the real challenge facing the people,” she added.
She expressed dismay that, in 2024, basic necessities such as food, electricity, and clean water remain out of reach for millions of Nigerians. According to Ekong, this situation represents a failure of leadership and a betrayal of the nation’s hopes for progress.
Ekong called for people-focused policies, emphasizing that it is the right of all Lagosians, irrespective of tribe or background, to be protected by the government, not exploited.
“As Chairman of the Labour Party in Lagos State, I must reaffirm our commitment to the people. Our party stands for social justice, equity, and the protection of the vulnerable. We cannot stand idly by while Nigerians suffer due to the negligence of those in power.
“We demand a government that prioritizes the people over personal gain. We demand policies that are people oriented and not centred around false revenue figures. We demand fairness,justice and equality. We demand transparency in public finances,” she concluded.