The National Executive Council of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, issued a strongly worded communique at the conclusion of its regular monthly meeting, held on Tuesday in Lagos. The meeting reviewed the state of the nation under the APC-led Federal Government, particularly focusing on the first year of President Bola Tinubu's administration.
Afenifere expressed deep concern over the current state of Nigeria, describing it as one of pervasive hardship, unremitting insecurity, runaway inflation, and massive unemployment. The group lamented that the people are worse off now than at the beginning of Tinubu's tenure. They accused the President of continuing the legacy of economic distress and pauperization started under his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
The communique highlighted instances of what Afenifere termed "profligacy and reckless expenditure" by the Tinubu administration, citing specific examples:
- N90 billion as a subsidy for intending pilgrims to Hajj.
- N15 billion for building a new mansion for the Vice President.
- N40 billion for renovating the National Assembly complex.
- N70 billion as payment for outgoing National Assembly members.
- N70 billion as a welcome package for incoming National Assembly members.
- Innumerable billions for bullet-proof SUVs for National Assembly members.
- N10 billion for renovating the Presidential Lodge at Ribadu Road, Lagos.
Afenifere also criticized the Tinubu administration's international conduct, citing incidents where claims of investment deals and bilateral agreements were refuted by foreign entities, including MAERSK, the Qatar Government, and the UAE.
The group expressed shock over the government's handling of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, criticizing the lack of budgetary provision and the improper sequence of awarding the contract before conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Afenifere accused the government of employing diversionary tactics to distract the public from its governance failures. They pointed to the re-introduction of the old National Anthem and the controversial legal maneuvering regarding the powers of the Federal Government over local government creation.
In other matters, the meeting approved Justice Faloye as the new National Publicity Secretary and noted a television station's error in confusing the name of Professor Ayo Banjo with that of Afenifere leader Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who chaired the meeting and thanked God for his continued life.
The communique, dated May 28, 2024, was signed by Alade Rotimi-John, Deputy Secretary General, on behalf of the National Executive Council of Afenifere.
