Rita Odafe
Kenneth Okonkwo, an important member of the Labour Party, has criticized President Bola Tinubu.
He claimed that Tinubu has been making poor decisions since his inauguration.
This comment was expressed during a Tuesday interview on Channels Television while discussing Tinubu’s initial media engagement.
Okonkwo observed that for nearly 19 months, the President has failed to inform Nigerians about his actions.
He emphasized that a true democracy requires leaders to be held accountable by their citizens.
“It’s not merely about addressing the public; it’s about being held accountable by them. The Constitution mandates that people’s participation in governance must be guaranteed. This participation is facilitated through their representatives and media interactions, where policies must be challenged,” he stated.
“Democracy is as much about fulfilling the electorate’s desires as it is about doing what’s beneficial for them,” he added.
The former actor pointedly criticized Tinubu for blaming the organizers of food distribution initiatives, which led to tragic stampedes claiming lives.
Okonkwo attributed these stampedes to widespread hunger rather than shortcomings of the organizers, suggesting that under Tinubu’s administration, a life seems valued at merely N5,000 and some rice grains.
“The President deflected all blame onto those arranging the food aid, who aimed to assist the hungry. The stampedes occurred across various regions, indicating a national crisis where Nigerians from all walks of life are suffering,” he remarked.
“These deaths were not caused by poverty alone— poverty is universal. They tragically resulted from urgent hunger. People felt they had no choice but to fight for N5,000 and a few grains of rice.”
He pointed out that the Catholic Church has successfully distributed food during Christmas without incident, highlighting that the current economic strain has pushed countless citizens to seek aid desperately.
He noted that the overwhelming crowds left many feeling hopeless, prompting fierce competition for meager resources.
He declared that this situation is indicative of a failing state.
“Consider what unfolded at the Catholic Church in Abuja. They’ve provided assistance for many years without chaos. This year is different because the public is in dire need,” Okonkwo lamented.
“People were so desperate that they resolved not to leave empty-handed, especially when faced with a surge in attendance. This desperation for basic needs, such as food, underscores the reality of a state in distress.”
