The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has pointed fingers at the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari for the current economic challenges facing Nigerians, absolving President Bola Tinubu of blame.
In a statement signed by the group’s Publicity and Organising Secretaries, Jare Ajayi and Kole Omololu, Afenifere argued that Buhari’s policies, or lack thereof, created a challenging economic environment for his successor.
According to the group, the Buhari administration’s failure to include provisions for oil subsidies in the previous year’s budget forced President Tinubu to cancel the subsidy regime in his inaugural speech.
Afenifere contends that the economic downturn was a consequence of unfulfilled promises, ineffective federalism, and a breakdown of law and order under Buhari’s watch, allowing terrorism and banditry to thrive.
The statement highlighted the controversial actions of the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, who was accused by a probe panel of printing N22.7 trillion through unconventional means during the Buhari years.
Afenifere claimed that Buhari failed to rein in critical officials, contributing to a situation where the government had to borrow to pay salaries and pensions.
Afenifere praised President Tinubu for swiftly addressing economic challenges by ending the subsidy regime and deregulating the forex regime, even if it resulted in a free fall of the Naira.
The group acknowledged that these decisions might cause short-term pain but believed they were necessary for long-term economic stability.
In response to the current economic situation, Afenifere proposed practical solutions, including the establishment of a vibrant Ministry of Information for regular communication with the public.
The group suggested holding town hall meetings across the country, realigning the National Assembly budget, implementing the “grow what we eat and eat what we grow” policy, and making banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism capital offenses punishable by death.
Afenifere concluded its statement by calling for unity and peaceful co-existence, warning against any attempts to orchestrate anarchy in the nation.
The group emphasized its commitment to defending democracy and resisting actions that could jeopardize the unity of the country.
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