Afenifere, a leading Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, has sounded the alarm over what it describes as the worsening state of Nigeria. The group is urging the Federal Government to take immediate action to prevent a complete collapse of the nation.
In a recent communiqué released after their quarterly meeting in Ogun State, Afenifere expressed deep concern over the current challenges facing Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The communiqué was signed by the group’s Deputy Leader, Oladipo Olaitan, and Deputy Secretary General, Alade Rotimi-John.
Afenifere highlighted several key issues that have left many Nigerians struggling, including:
Many citizens are dealing with crippling hunger and a deteriorating standard of living
The cost of goods and services continues to rise uncontrollably, putting additional strain on the population.
The country remains plagued by persistent security challenges, contributing to a general sense of instability.
A growing number of Nigerians are out of work, further exacerbating the economic difficulties faced by households.
The group also criticized the Federal Government for what it sees as reckless and unnecessary spending. Afenifere cited several examples of what it considers wasteful expenditures:
The group questioned the rationale behind spending $100 million (approximately N240 billion) on an Airbus A330 jet for the President, along with an additional $50 million to retrofit it.
The government reportedly spent N950 million each on a fleet of armoured Cadillac Escalade Limousine SUVs for the President.
Afenifere was also critical of the N21 billion spent on renovating a new mansion for the Vice President and N10 billion for renovating the Presidential Lodge at Ribadu Road, Lagos.
The government’s decision to allocate N90 billion as subsidies for religious pilgrimages was also called into question.
Afenifere expressed shame over how these expenditures have negatively affected Nigeria’s image on the global stage. The group accused the government of engaging in diversionary tactics to distract the public from the pressing issues at hand.
The communiqué concluded with a call for the Federal Government to rethink its priorities and focus on addressing the real challenges facing the country. Afenifere urged the government to act swiftly and responsibly to ensure that Nigeria does not descend into further chaos.
The group is calling for urgent action to save Nigeria from further decline. Widespread hardship, inflation, insecurity, and unemployment are at the forefront of Afenifere’s concerns. Afenifere is critical of the government’s spending on luxury items and renovations amid widespread suffering.The group urges the government to focus on the well-being of its citizens rather than on wasteful expenditures.
As Afenifere has highlighted, the current situation in Nigeria requires immediate and effective action from the government. Addressing the economic and security challenges, while being mindful of public spending, will be key to ensuring the nation’s stability and future prosperity.
