Rita Odafe
Renowned Nigerian lawyer Afe Babalola (SAN) criticized the Tinubu-led Federal government, accusing it of turning citizens into beggars and pushing them further into poverty. This criticism stemmed from the recent distribution of palliatives aimed at alleviating the impact of the ongoing economic challenges.
Babalola expressed his concerns at a public event held on Thursday, August 16. He emphasized the genuine hunger experienced by many Nigerians and the need for the government to address this pressing issue promptly. According to Babalola, the government’s failure to ensure citizens’ welfare has resulted in widespread hunger, forcing people to abandon farms for safety concerns.
Babalola disapproved of the government’s approach of distributing basic food items like garri, beans, and rice as palliatives, stating that it only perpetuates a cycle of dependency and poverty. He stressed the necessity for the government to create conducive conditions for citizens to work and sustain themselves rather than relying on handouts.
In response to the growing calls for a constitutional reform, Babalola supported the notion of a new constitution but opposed convening a constitutional conference. Citing the example of the reintroduction of the old National Anthem by President Tinubu without a formal conference, Babalola advocated for revisiting the 1963 constitution, arguing for its reenactment by the parliament as a collaborative effort.
