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Buhari to blame for nation’s woes, he set booby trap for Tinubu – Afenifere
The Pan-Yoruba Socio-political group, Afenifere on Friday said former President Muhammadu Buhari set booby trap for President Bola Tinubu by not removing fuel subsidy.
The organisation said Tinubu is never to be blamed for the economic hardship in the country, saying he only summoned up courage by removing fuel subsidy, instead of postponing the evil days.
Afenifere said this in a statement issued by Otunba Kole Omololu, National Organising secretary and Comrade Jare Ajayi, Publicity Secretary, titled: “What Sins Did President Tinubu Commit?”
The statement said Afenifere had watched with significant disbelief the sudden reawakening of voices across the federation over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria, saying many forgot that the economic downturn was caused by the Buhari Administration on a platform of hope and defective federalism, as promises were made, most of which were not fulfilled.
“Under Buhari’s watch, terrorists and banditry were operating effortlessly. Law and order broke down. Many innocent citizens including the daughter of our leader were killed and or kidnapped. President Buhari could not rein in on his critical officials like the then Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who was printing money rather than facing the reality of taking the difficult decisions, which were postponed till the evil day.
“A probe panel was reported to have accused Godwin Emefiele and his team of printing N22.7 trillion through ways and means. We remembered that we were borrowing to pay salaries and pensions during the years of the Buhari administration.
“We recall that some ministers suggested the removal of subsidies, among other economic decisions. But President Buhari would not agree until his last year in office to lay a booby trap for the incoming administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It was, therefore, obvious that we were simply postponing the evil day. The CBN Governor denied leaks flying around that the books were being doctored. He reassured the federation that all was well. He even wanted to contest the presidential election! There were no penalties for his infractions by President Buhari. These inactions and false lives continued till May 29, 2023, when the new helmsman, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, was sworn in as President,” Afenifere said.
The organisation said Tinubu wasted no time amending his inauguration address and declared the subsidy regime over, saying this was obvious as there was no appropriation for subsidy from June 2023.
“He quickly followed up with the deregulation of the forex regime, which resulted in the free fall of the Naira. A man who is not shy about making difficult decisions, he probably underestimated the capability and capacity of the beneficiaries of the old order to make things ungovernable for his administration.
“Those sleeping and snoring during the eight years of Buhari suddenly woke up. They forgot that these remedial actions should have been taken many years back. The major sins of PBAT reside in his daring to contest and win the presidential election and make these decisions, which will hurt in the short term but bring us back to reality in the long run,” the body said.
According to Afenifere, what was needed right now is vibrant Ministry of Information to regularly stay in touch with the people, as current economic challenges are worldwide in scope and not peculiar to Nigeria.
It also suggested regular town hall meetings across the country where ministers would go back to their constituencies to engage with the people, as well as realignment of the National Assembly budget and launch of operation go back to the people by the legislators, with each National Assembly member taken palliatives back to the constituency.
Afenifere added that governors receiving almost double allocations due to the removal of subsidies and readjustment of the exchange rates should deliver to their people, saying that the allocations of each state of the federation should be published on a monthly basis
The organisation stated that there should be implementation of operation ‘grow what we eat and eat what we grow policy.’
Afenifere added that the government should make banditry, kidnapping and terrorism a capital offence punishable by death as well as return to true and fiscal federalism with state police, for which “we commend the President and Governors’ endorsement, and state ownership of mineral resources.”
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Just in :INEC announces date for Anambra governorship election
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the date for the Anambra governorship election.
Addressing representatives of political parties at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, October 17, INEC national chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu said the election will be held on Saturday 8th November 2025.
Hear him: “As you are aware, the last governorship election in Anambra State was held on 6th November 2021. By the effluxion of time, the governorship election is due next year.
In compliance with the mandatory requirement of 360 days, the formal notice for the election will be published on 13th November 2024. Party primaries will be held from 20th March 2025 to 10th April 2025.
“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.
“Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th June 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 6th November 2025. Voting will take place in all the 5,720 Polling Units across the State on Saturday 8th November 2025.
In compliance with the mandatory requirement of 360 days, the formal notice for the election will be published on 13th November 2024. Party primaries will be held from 20th March 2025 to 10th April 2025.
“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.
“Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th June 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 6th November 2025. Voting will take place in all the 5,720 Polling Units across the State on Saturday 8th November 2025.
The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00 am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00 pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.
“Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th June 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 6th November 2025. Voting will take place in all the 5,720 Polling Units across the State on Saturday 8th November 2025.
“In the coming weeks, the Commission will provide details of other electoral activities, including the registration of new voters, transfer of voters and the replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.
“The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms before the end of this meeting.”
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Despite heavy hunger, World Bank Tells Nigerians Not To Oppose, Reverse Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Despite hunger, World Bank has urged Nigerians to support the ongoing economic reforms, warning that opposing or reversing them could have serious negative consequences for the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) report in Abuja, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, emphasized that while the reforms may be challenging, they are crucial for the nation’s long-term stability.
Dr. Diop cautioned that rolling back these reforms would be detrimental, saying, “Reversing the reforms would spell doom for Nigeria.”
In the same vein, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, reiterated the importance of staying committed to the reforms. He stated, “Any effort that is not sustained will be a waste. Together with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, we’ve been discussing how to stay on course.”
Edun further explained that the government’s focus is on reducing inflation while ensuring investments flow into critical sectors such as industry, where jobs can be created. “We are prioritizing market pricing and sat down with labor unions to explain why we cannot afford to let this opportunity slip.”
On the removal of subsidies, Edun noted, “Every day without subsidies means more funds available for education, healthcare, and other essential expenditures.”
Also speaking, Central Bank Governor Mr. Olayemi Cardoso highlighted the importance of promoting exports in light of the exchange rate adjustments. “The moderation in the FX rate should make our goods more competitive for export and discourage the importation of unnecessary goods,” he said
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