“Nigeria is bleeding” – Dino Melaye raises alarm over security, economic crisis

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has issued a strongly worded open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that Nigeria is sliding into dangerous instability amid worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

In the letter released on Sunday, Melaye described the state of the nation as “alarming and unsustainable,” arguing that growing violence, deepening poverty, and declining public confidence in democratic institutions are pushing the country to the brink.

The outspoken politician urged the president to urgently recalibrate his administration’s approach before social and political tensions spiral further.

The former lawmaker painted a grim picture of the security landscape, citing persistent terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes across different parts of the country.

According to him, many Nigerians now live in constant fear, particularly in rural communities where attacks have become recurrent.

He warned that a country where citizens cannot “sleep with both eyes closed” reflects a nation under severe strain, and called for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s security architecture.

Melaye also took aim at the prevailing economic realities, highlighting soaring inflation, rising food prices, fuel cost increases, and the continued depreciation of the naira. He argued that families are grappling with unprecedented financial pressure, while small and medium-scale enterprises struggle to survive under mounting operational costs.

The former senator called for immediate relief measures to cushion the impact of ongoing reforms, urging the federal government to adopt people-centered policies capable of restoring hope and stimulating economic stability. He stressed that governance must prioritize citizens’ welfare over political calculations.

In a direct appeal to the president, Melaye urged a reassessment of policy priorities and a more inclusive style of leadership.

“History will remember you not for the power you wielded, but for the lives you improved,” he wrote, emphasizing that decisive action now could redefine the administration’s legacy and help steer the nation away from deeper crisis.