Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, says Nigerians
may be inclined to forgive President Muhammadu Buhari if he effects changes to
alleviate suffering in the country before he hands over on May 29.
On Friday, Buhari asked Nigerians to forgive him for any way
he has hurt them.
Reacting in a statement by Jare Ajayi, its publicity
secretary, Afenifere said it would have been much better if the president had
listened to pleas made to him over the years regarding “the unfriendly, if not
retrogressive, steps his administration had being taken”.
“The maxim has it that ‘to err is human, to forgive is divine.’ Without deceiving ourselves, the Nigerian government under the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari certainly ‘hurt’ a lot of people (to use his own word),” the group said.
“Some of them are
even no longer alive. Some who are alive have wounds that can hardly ever heal.
Both physical and psycho-social wounds. Because the Almighty created many
humans to have large hearts, many whom the President had hurt may forgive him.
“That is for those who are alive. But then, what about
thousands who have died as a result of avoidable acts that can easily be traced
to the government such as non-provision of security and welfare as clearly
enshrined in the Constitution?”
The group said many people might be inclined to forgive
Buhari if, within the remaining 34 days he has left in office, he could effect
“dramatic changes” in policies that are making life difficult for Nigerians.
Afenifere advised Buhari to take decisive actions that will
permanently halt insecurity in the country and ensure immediate payment of the
eight-month salaries of university lecturers.
The group said efforts should be made to ensure that those
in IDP camps are resettled in their ancestral homes, and that “the stranglehold
on the economy”, especially through unfriendly fiscal policies, be relaxed so
that economic activities can quickly bounce back.
Afenifere said these measures can be successfully
implemented before May 29 “if President Buhari and his team really desire to do
them”.
‘UPSURGE IN TERRORIST
ACTIVITIES WORRYING’
Afenifere expressed concern about the upsurge in terrorist
activities following the completion of the general election.
The group said the series of attacks on defenceless people
and the subversion of economic activities in various parts of the country “give
us a lot of concern especially as we move towards the handing over of power on
May 29, 2023 by the grace of God”.
“Bandits now even have the effrontery to go and abduct
people from their homes as happened to one Adebukola in Ondo State, to a former
deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Prof Onje Gye-Wado, to the driver of the
incumbent Nasarawa State deputy governor, to one Muhammadu Jibril in Ago
Igbira, Osun State and to over 100 students of Federal Government College,
Yauri, Kebbi State, who were abducted from their hostels – to mention a few,”
the group said.
Afenifere called on the authorities to ensure that the
situation is quickly brought under control.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Only God can alleviate suffering not a leader. He did his best but corrupt people like you will never allow his best be felt. Forgive uim or not God will forgive h9m because God uses heart to judge.
ReplyDelete