Human rights lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has lamented that many Nigerians feel helpless and frustrated under the current economic situation, warning that some of President Bola Tinubu’s policies could force citizens to seek refuge and citizenship in other countries.

In a statement he personally signed, the human rights lawyer expressed deep concern that, despite Nigeria marking its 65th Independence Anniversary, the high cost of living and poor power supply have made life unbearable for ordinary Nigerians.

He said, “Truth is, several citizens feel used and entrapped in Nigeria at the moment. They are helpless and frustrated. I am one of them. The country would have been empty by now if it were easy to quietly exit or resign and take up the nationality of another country without tedious conditions.”

Decrying the poor electricity supply in the Federal Capital Territory, the lawyer said: “Tell me why I should be spending my meagre resources fuelling my generator for over one week now, in the capital city of a country that just celebrated 65 years of independence. My area in Abuja and several other places have not experienced a sign of electricity since the 30th of September to date; no reason has been given for that. I’m not aware if the national grid has collapsed again.”

He further recalled President Tinubu’s campaign promise to restore power within seven days if elected, describing the continued blackout and economic hardship as “the peak of my pain.”

According to Idam, the current hardship, worsened by what he termed the administration’s “unprecedented tax policies”, may soon drive more Nigerians to migrate to neighbouring countries in search of relief.