Life becoming unbearable for Nigerians, they need pragmatic, practical, and relief, YCE insists
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Yoruba elders have expressed concern over the existential pains of Nigerians, pressing Bola Tinubu to put concrete things on the ground rather keeping on making promises nearly three months after achieving his lifelong desire to become President.
The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) reiterated its support for Tinubu but urged him to devise more pragmatic, practical, and visible ways of easing the general agony citizens are grappling with, caused by his removal of fuel subsidy without cushion.
YCE builds on the rising criticism from Tinubu’s base in the West South from where Afenifere, Tunde Bakare of Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), and Akin Osuntokun of the Labour Party (LP) have recently pressed his feet to the fire.
Bakare, CGCC Overseer, knocked Tinubu for ruling by “impulse” and by “Emilokan” policies.
He said “Emilokan” (it is my turn) connotes an imperial presidency without regard to the plight of citizens and without the rule of law, zeroing in on the case of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who is being detained against court order.
Bakare, a member of Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC), was delivering his “State of the Address” last Sunday, in which he also cited Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy without planning as well as war mongering in Niger Republic without first pressing for dialogue.
The latest views of YCE are part of resolutions at its National Executive Council Emergency in Ibadan, conveyed in a communique issued by YCE Secretary General Oladipo Oyewole.
“The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) affirms its total support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the communique stressed.
“However, the Council observes that the suffering in Nigeria at this time is getting sharper and hardship is getting deeper among the masses. The cost of petrol has increased, the cost of transportation and cost of foodstuffs have gone up.”
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Tackling general hardship
“While associating fully with the management abilities and capabilities of the present Federal Government administration, it is of concern to YCE that the Federal Government of Nigeria should put in place more pragmatic, practical and visible ways of easing the pains and general hardship which Nigerians are presently contending with,” the communique added, per Vanguard.
“We see a good outcome for the tightening of belts in Nigeria as it were while we call for effective management and monitoring such that our people would not have suffered for nothing.”
YCE against Nigeria going to war in Niger
YCE expressed concern over publications about the Emir of Ilorin over Isese worship in Kwara, lamenting the rights of Yorubas in the state are being abridged.
“The Council also observes that the socio-cultural right of Yoruba people in Kwara State is being contained, marginalised and unduly infringed upon. The newspaper publication of the Emir of Ilorin and his emissaries has caused worries for the Yoruba Council of Elders.”
YCE insisted every Nigerian should continue to enjoy the freedom of religious worship as domiciled in the Constitution.
The group equally touched on the impasse in Niger Republic, calling for diplomatic steps to be taken to prevent any action that may escalate into war in West Africa.
