The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has issued a strong message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to address the severe hardships currently being experienced by Nigerians under his administration.
The elders emphasized that while long-term goals for Nigeria are essential, the immediate needs of the people must not be overlooked.
In a statement released by its Secretary-General, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, YCE expressed grave concern over the increasing suffering of millions of Nigerians, who are grappling with a lack of essential resources like food, fuel, and electricity.
“Indeed, Nigerians are suffering deeply at this time… no light, no fuel, no food,” Oyewole stated. The council urged President Tinubu to return to the drawing board to find solutions that would bring immediate relief to citizens.
While YCE remains hopeful about the future, the council pointed to the current inadequacies in governance. “Going by the scanty information available on Government pursuits and activities, there is, presently, a lot of suffering in the land,” the statement read.
The elders criticized the Federal Government’s handling of key issues, particularly the ongoing fuel crisis and rising costs of living.
“Without regular supply of electricity and with the official announcement of an increase in the price of petroleum products (PMS), the current hardship cannot but be increased in daily living by Nigerians.”
They called on the government to move beyond temporary palliatives, which have not been effective in reaching the most vulnerable populations, and instead focus on broader measures to improve governance and deliver the real dividends of democracy.
“The Federal Government ought to immediately pursue every avenue to make available to our people the dividends of democracy. Not through distribution of palliatives (that do not seem to filter to the bottom) but by putting in place avenues to enhance proper and quality living through effective governance administration.”
YCE also stressed that it is the right of every Nigerian to benefit from the nation’s resources, insisting that “every Nigerian should be entitled to enjoy our common resources.”
The council urged the Tinubu administration to act swiftly to alleviate the widespread suffering.
“Mr. President should, without delay, revisit his drawing board to attend to the short-term needs of Nigerians (the immediate needs of the people) whilst pursuing the long-term vision of making Nigeria a better place for growth and development,” they said.
As elders of the nation, YCE demanded immediate action to improve the welfare of Nigerians, warning that the current situation is unsustainable.
“As far as this elders council is concerned, a lot of administrative work by the Government is absolutely required for the masses of this country to live, stay alive as respectable and responsible people.”
Concluding their statement, YCE described the current state of the nation as a bitter pill, urging the President to move swiftly to provide relief.
“The Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should do something quickly to ensure proper steering of its intentions to establish and install better governance in Nigeria. In fact, the Presidency should do all possible to alleviate the suffering of all Nigerians immediately and without delay.”
The council’s message reflects the growing frustration among many Nigerians as they struggle with the rising cost of living and a lack of basic services under the current administration.
