Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has voiced strong criticism against President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s palliatives, saying they are reducing self-reliant Nigerians to beggars.
Babalola argues that the government’s strategy of distributing palliatives is creating a cycle of dependency, keeping people in poverty and forcing them to rely on handouts for survival.
Speaking at his university in Ado-Ekiti, Babalola also aligned himself with The Patriots’ call for a new Constitution.
He shared these thoughts during a visit from the Prestige Sisters League, who had come to express their gratitude. Babalola used the occasion to reflect on the recent hunger protests in the country, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
“Those protesting hunger are doing so genuinely. They are truly hungry. A starving person will go to any length to express their frustration. The government should listen because the protest was legitimate,” Babalola remarked.
He further criticized the government’s handling of the situation, highlighting that the primary responsibility of any administration is to ensure the welfare of its citizens. According to Babalola, the ongoing insecurity in the country has driven people away from their farms, exacerbating the hunger crisis.
“It is unacceptable for the government to distribute garri, beans, and rice as palliatives. This approach is turning citizens into beggars and leading the nation into deeper poverty,” he stated. “Instead of discouraging work, the government should be creating an environment where people can earn a living and sustain themselves.”
Babalola also addressed the push for a new Constitution by The Patriots, advocating for a return to the 1963 Constitution without the need for a constitutional conference.
He pointed out that changes such as the reintroduction of the old National Anthem were made without a conference, and similar actions could be taken to reenact the 1963 Constitution.
“I fully support The Patriots’ call for a new Constitution. However, I don’t believe a constitutional conference is necessary. The National Assembly should simply bring back the 1963 Constitution and reenact it,” Babalola concluded.
(SAHARAREPORTERS)
