Tinubu Turning Nigerians into Beggars with Palliatives, Says Afe Babalola

Legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has criticized the federal government’s approach to addressing the nation’s economic challenges, particularly the distribution of food palliatives. Babalola argued that these measures are reducing Nigerians to beggars instead of empowering them.

During a recent visit from the Prestige Sisters League, Babalola expressed deep concern over the increasing hunger and insecurity across the country. He noted that the fear of violence has driven many farmers to abandon their fields, exacerbating the food crisis.

Babalola emphasized that the government’s primary responsibility is to ensure the welfare of its citizens, not to hand out temporary relief. He asserted that the current distribution of staples like garri, beans, and rice is fostering dependency and poverty, rather than encouraging self-sufficiency.

“The duty of the government is the welfare of the people. The problem we have now is that people cannot move freely,” Babalola said. “They have abandoned the farms. People are being killed in their farms, and everybody wants to stay where they are safe. It is because the government has failed in this regard that we have hunger.”

He criticized the government’s palliative efforts, stating, “The government that is giving the people rice and beans is leading us to poverty. The government is discouraging people from working, whereas, the government must provide an enabling environment for people to work and feed themselves.”

Babalola also voiced his support for the Emeka Anyaoku-led Patriots group, which has called for the adoption of a new constitution. He specifically advocated for the revival of the 1963 constitution, dismissing the need for a constitutional conference. According to Babalola, the National Assembly has the power to re-enact the 1963 constitution, similar to how the old National Anthem was reinstated.

“I read the publication of the Patriots visiting President Tinubu and I am in full agreement with them. We need a new Constitution. But I do not agree that we should go through any constitutional conference,” Babalola stated. “The 1963 Constitution was the one made by all of us. By the same token, the parliament should bring back the 1963 [constitution] and reenact it.”