As Nigerians continue to lament the rising cost of living and hunger, former President Muhammadu Buhari says he is happy with President Bola Tinubu’s performance.

“I am very pleased that they are able to stabilise the situation and continue to really get concerned about Nigerians,” Mr Buhari said. “I am very happy about their performance.”

The former president was quoted to have said this in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, spokesperson for Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Mr Buhari in Duara, Katsina, on Friday.

Mr Buhari’s commendation of the current administration comes as protests have continued across Nigeria over the high cost of living and food prices. 

In the face of Nigeria’s economic downtown, celebrities like Fuji musicians Wasiu “KWAM1” Ayinde and Olaiya Igwe, who campaigned for Mr Tinubu, have raised the alarm over the rising cost of food in the country.

Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar-led Northern Traditional Council, warned that rising poverty, hunger and insecurity will soon force people to revolt against Mr Tinubu’s government.

Spiking prices of food predated Mr Tinubu’s government. However, Mr Tinubu’s sudden fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira, which experts lauded, have seen petrol prices jump from N145 to N630, shooting food prices up astronomically as the naira continues its freefall against the dollar, trading for over N1,600 against a dollar. 

Last week, Nigerians protested skyrocketing food prices in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, chanting “Tinubu ole.” Similar protests had held in Osun, Niger, Kano and Lagos, Mr Tinubu’s home state, last week. 

Mr Tinubu, in response to public outcry on the rising cost of food, had directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release about 42,000 metric tonnes of grains, including maise, millet and garri.

Peoples Gazette on Sunday reported how citizens raided a government-owned warehouse in Abuja, looting food and other items.