Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political organization, has urged Bola Tinubu to prioritize the revitalization of Nigeria’s economy, highlighting the country’s unfortunate status as the hunger capital of the world.
In a statement released on Monday and jointly signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, and Assistant, Justice Faloye, Afenifere underscored the pressing need for Tinubu to demonstrate political resolve in tackling the escalating terrorism crisis, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
Afenifere reminded Tinubu of his obligation to the Nigerian people, emphasizing that failure to address these critical issues would be unacceptable.
The Nigerian naira plunged to its lowest point on record in official trading as a shortage of US dollars persisted despite promises by the government to boost supply, lamented the Yoruba apex body, adding “Our people are dying due to hunger.”
“Nigeria has become the hunger capital of the world. How are the people, so impoverished be saddled with paying ransom to kidnappers right in the middle of possibly the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world that even Ukraine a country with Russia lasting two years and still counting, is now the one to be sending humanitarian aid to Nigeria?
“Let the people begin to see a change, Mr. President — A challenge being tackled over the years with the same methods, cannot yield a different result from a certain failure,” the organisation said.
In response to the surge in terrorist activities in Northern Nigeria, notably the recent violence in Plateau and the abduction of over 200 schoolchildren in Kaduna, the Yoruba apex body issued a stern warning to Tinubu. They cautioned him that failure to address the ongoing bloodshed could lead to his disgrace and removal from office.
“It is down to you Mr. President if you would rather go the way of your predecessors, by looking the other way and let innocent blood flow, be disgraced and set for an early exit or find the strength, the will and the courage to face the sponsors of terror, with the resolve to eradicating this Àbíkú scourge from ever again taking root anywhere in our land,” Afenifere said.
Afenifere has urged Tinubu to initiate immediate restructuring of the nation along regional lines. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of reverting to the parliamentary system of governance as a necessary step forward for the country.
“Return the country to the parliamentary system of government. Bring back regionalism and watch our countrymen and our hopeless children begin to live again in dignity, right before your very eyes,” it said