Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, has taken a swipe at the Tinubu-led administration over its recent policies.
The National Leader of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) said all economic and security policies of President Tinubu have only worsened the situation of Nigerians.
In his “State of the Nation” open letter on Tuesday, the Aare Ona Kakanfo accused Tinubu of turning a dictator by charging #EndBadGovernance protesters with treason for doing what he had always done to other administrations.
“When you came with the ‘Emilokan’ coinage in the build up to the 2023 elections, many Nigerians were persuaded that as a democrat exposed to modern way of governance, you will perform better than erstwhile President Muhammadu Buhari, a soldier who deepened the poverty levels of Nigerians and increased insecurity from 2015 to 2023.
“Today, events have proved that they were wrong. Mr President, to say the truth without minding whose ox is gored, you have really disappointed many Nigerians, who thought you were the messiah they were waiting for. The facts are there to speak for themselves
,” he said.
He reminded the President that by 29 May 2023, a litre of fuel only cost less than ₦200, but with his “subsidy is gone” statement fuel had gone to over ₦1000 per litre, and Naira to Dollar was less than what it is in his administration.
“The price of a litre of fuel was less then ₦200. Today, it is more than ₦1000. As the Minister of Petroleum, I ask you, what type of reforms is this? In May 2023, naira to a dollar was less than ₦740. Today, it is more than ₦1,600.
“Now, your two right-hand men when you were the governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, Wale Edun (Finance Minister) and Yemi Cardoso (CBN Governor) are in charge of the economy. What exactly are the fiscal, economic and financial briefings they give you daily to convince you that they know what they are doing in those two offices?”
He asked.
Adams told President Tinubu that insecurity has worsened in his administration and his government has not been doing enough to curb it.
“When Buhari left on May 29, 2023, many Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief that insecurity would soon become history. Pitiably today, from the North to the South, East to the West, the rate at which Nigerians are being abducted and some killed, even after ransom was paid, has increased as if these blood- thirsty maniacs have just been unleashed on Nigerians from the hottest part of hell,” he noted.
The leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) accused the President of mismanaging the August 1 hunger protest. He decried the clampdown on civil society organizations by security agencies.
Gani Adams continued, “In August, many Nigerians came out to express their frustration on the way you are governing them.
“Today, some of those arrested have been charged with treason. In the comity of nations. Who does that? Is that the way governments are overthrown, with placards?
“Human rights activists are being harassed by security agents on a daily basis and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have become soft targets of sycophants, who speak sweet words to your ears for selfish reasons.
“Many Nigerians know the ‘radical’ role you played when you were a governor, and even after 2007, when you galvanised and mobilised them to challenge the status quo at the national level.
“Now that you are in government, protest has suddenly become a criminal!!!”
Aare Ona Kakanfo lamented that more Nigerians have been pushed below the poverty line because of Tinubu’s economic policies. He added that unemployment has risen while businesses are closed daily.
“Today, more than 75 percent of Nigerians have sunk below the poverty line. Businesses are collapsing like a badly-arranged pack of cards and the centre can no longer hold in many households.
“With over 32 percent inflation rate and close to 40 percent unemployment rate, which are expected to rise further with the latest dictatorial increase in fuel price, it is obvious that your administration offers no hope to Nigerians,
” the letter concluded.
