Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called on the Federal Government to take urgent action to alleviate the suffering caused for Nigerians by the removal of subsidy on petrol and the subsequent increase in electricity tariffs.
Speaking at the 2024 Oke’badan Festival in Ibadan, he expressed concern for the current situation in the country. Adams, who commended the idea of states having independent power supply, drew attention to the numerous advantages that the initiative could bring.
“The increase in electricity tariffs had taken a huge toll on the entire system. It has affected virtually all the sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“Like the growing pain experienced through hike in the electricity tariffs, the fuel subsidy removal has continued to bring more hardship to Nigerians. It has also affected the Nigerian economy, drifting the country to further inflation.” Adams also emphasised the need for state police, noting that the security of lives and property is one of the government’s major responsibilities. He advocated a constitutional amendment to accommodate the demand for effective state policing and fulfil the yearnings of Nigerians. Adams criticised those opposing state police, accusing them of deriving pleasure from the insecurity that plagues the country to the detriment of the people they are supposed to protect.
“The governors get billions of naira as security votes, but the lacuna in the security system across the country is of great concern to many,” he noted. On the Oke’badan Festival, held in honour of the revered deity in Yorubaland, was described by Adams as a significant symbol of security and refuge.
He stated that throughout history, Oke’badan provided a rallying point for the people of Ibadan in their various victorious wars.
The Oyo State Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Olatunji Abiola, who spoke about the significant reduction in security challenges in the state, attributed the success to the joint efforts of the OPC and the Amotekun Corps in securing the area.