Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, criticized President Bola Tinubu’s attempt to nominate 48 ministers on Thursday, referring to it as callous amid the nation’s economic challenges.
In a statement released after a meeting at Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s Ogun State residence, Afenifere labeled Tinubu’s extensive list of ministers as “most bizarre” and irresponsible. According to Chief Sola Ebiseni, the organization’s Secretary General, Afenifere stated, “Afenifere condemns as most unconscionable that a government pleading for understanding and sacrifices from the people… would present such an unprecedented humongous list of 48 ministers and other such appointments…”
The statement reads, “Afenifere noted that it is most bizarre that the overwhelming majority of Nigerians… are subjected to the spectacle of opulence and irresponsibility by their political leaders.”
Afenifere lamented the powerlessness of the parliament in curbing Tinubu’s actions, stating, “This interim period in the political life of the country has further abysmally exposed the pretences and hypocrisy of those who have often paid lip service to progressive inclinations as rapacious power mongers without a thought for the people.”
The Senate, on Monday, confirmed 45 out of 48 ministerial nominees forwarded by President Bola Tinubu. However, the approval for Nasir El-Rufai, Sani Abubakar Danladi, and Stella Okotete was deferred. The confirmation of others followed a screening by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the Red Chamber.
