Afenifere has watched with significant disbelief the sudden reawakening of voices across the federation over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria. Many forgot that the economic downturn was caused by the Buhari Administration on a platform of hope and our defective federalism. Promises were made, most of which were not fulfilled.
Under Buhari’s watch, terrorists and banditry were operating effortlessly. Law and order broke down. Many innocent citizens including the daughter of our leader were killed and or kidnapped. President Buhari could not rein in on his critical officials like the then Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who was printing money rather than facing the reality of taking the difficult decisions, which were postponed till the evil day.
A probe panel was reported to have accused Godwin Emefiele and his team of printing N22.7 trillion through ways and means. We remembered that we were borrowing to pay salaries and pensions during the years of the Buhari administration.
We recall that some ministers suggested the removal of subsidies, among other economic decisions. But President Buhari would not agree until his last year in office to lay a booby trap for the incoming administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It was, therefore, obvious that we were simply postponing the evil day. The CBN Governor denied leaks flying around that the books were being doctored. He reassured the federation that all was well. He even wanted to contest the presidential election! There were no penalties for his infractions by President Buhari. These inactions and false lives continued till May 29, 2023, when the new helmsman, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, was sworn in as President.
President Tinubu wasted no time amending his inauguration address and declared the subsidy regime over! This was obvious as there was no appropriation for subsidy from June 2023. He quickly followed up with the deregulation of the forex regime, which resulted in the free fall of the Naira. A man who is not shy about making difficult decisions, he probably underestimated the capability and capacity of the beneficiaries of the old order to make things ungovernable for his administration.
Those sleeping and snoring during the eight years of Buhari suddenly woke up. They forgot that these remedial actions should have been taken many years back. The major sins of PBAT reside in his daring to contest and win the presidential election and make these decisions, which will hurt in the short term but bring us back to reality in the long run. What do we need now?
1. A vibrant Ministry of Information to regularly stay in touch with the people. Current economic challenges are worldwide in scope and not peculiar to Nigeria.
2. Regular town hall meetings across the country where ministers will go back to their constituencies to engage with the people.
3. Realignment of the NASS budget and launch of operation go back to the people by our legislators. Each NASS member must take palliatives back to the constituency.
4. Governors receiving almost double allocations due to the removal of subsidies and readjustment of the exchange rates should deliver to their people.
5. The allocations of each state of the federation should be published on a monthly basis
6. Implementation of operation grow what we eat and eat what we grow policy.
7. Make banditry, kidnapping and terrorism a capital offence punishable by death
8. Return to true and fiscal federalism with state police, for which we commend the President and Governors’ endorsement, and state ownership of mineral resources.
This is not the time for some elder statesmen to make incendiary comments that can put our unity in jeopardy. Rather, it is a time to deepen peaceful co-existence to navigate through our current challenges. Orchestrating anarchy will be resisted in our dear nation. We fought through our blood to achieve democracy. We will also vigorously defend it, as it is here to stay.
Otunba Kole Omololu.
National Organising Secretary Afenifere.
Comrade Jare Ajayi Publicity Secretary.
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