Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), a renowned legal expert and founder of Afe Babalola University, has strongly condemned the federal government’s handling of Nigeria’s economic issues, particularly its reliance on food palliatives as a solution.
Babalola argued that the government’s current strategy is reducing Nigerians to beggars rather than empowering them.
During a recent visit from the Prestige Sisters League, Babalola expressed deep concern over the worsening hunger and insecurity across the nation.
He highlighted that the escalating violence has forced many farmers to abandon their fields, further aggravating the country’s food crisis.
“The duty of the government is the welfare of the people. The problem we have now is that people cannot move freely,” Babalola stated.
“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.”
Babalola criticized the government’s reliance on distributing staples like garri, beans, and rice as a temporary relief measure, suggesting that it fosters dependency rather than promoting self-sufficiency.
He emphasized that the government’s primary responsibility is to ensure the welfare of its citizens by creating an enabling environment for them to work and provide for themselves.
“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,” he added.
In addition to his critique of the government’s economic policies, Babalola voiced his support for the Emeka Anyaoku-led Patriots group, which has been advocating for the adoption of a new constitution.
He specifically called for the revival of the 1963 constitution, arguing that there is no need for a new constitutional conference.
According to Babalola, the National Assembly has the authority to re-enact the 1963 constitution, much like 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.”