A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , Hon Bamitale Oguntoyinbo has faulted the modalities of distributing palliatives to states as announced by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration.
Oguntoyinbo, former Director at the National Orientation Agency (NOA) cautioned President Tinubu against surrendering his powers to the state governors, who may eventually sabotage his good intentions for Nigerians.
Speaking with a cross section of journalists in Oye-Ekiti, Oguntoyinbo who is the Obalodo designate of Oye Kingdom argued that the present arrangements where governors are charged with the responsibilities of distributing palliatives is not in the best interest of the downtrodden masses who are actually feeling the pains of the economic hardships.
The former chairman of Oye- Local Government, therefore admonished President Bola Tinubu to monitor and follow up with the N5billion palliatives fund disbursed to states for it not be looted by the governors.
Rather than given the money to the 36 state governors , Oguntoyinbo said the federal ought to have channeled the fund to a specific infrastructural projects in the country, especially the moribund refineries.
Though, the APC stalwart said the decision of the president to remove subsidy was necessary, he added that proper management of the aftermath would be key in addressing the challenges facing the citizens.
He however urged residents to support and show more understanding with the government as they strive to provide sustainable succor to the people.
The APC said, “There is no doubt that the fuel subsidy was a scam and conduit pipe for some people to steal our money over the years and for President Tinubu to be courageous in removing it, he should be commended.
“ I want to say that things will be better in the country with the subsidy removal provided things are done properly especially as it relates to the provision of social services because as it stands, Nigerians are suffering.
“ The process leading to the distribution of the palliatives across the country is not in the best interest of the people. The recent N5 billion for the states by the federal will be looted by these people, we know them and I will like the President to follow up on the disbursement.
“ I would have expected the federal government not to give the money to the governors but ensure it is used for our infrastructures especially the refineries so that our country will be better for it.
“There will be diversion of all these palliatives being rolled out and at the end of the day, many people who are vulnerable will not get it. Political office holders will hijack them for their selfish interest.”
On the reports of some people constituting themselves as cabal and powerful cliques around the president, he advised him to be warry and learn from the failures of the Muhammadu Buhari administration due to some decisions allegedly by the cabal around the former president.
“ We are aware that some people are already building themselves as cabal around President Tinubu which will not help us a country. We all saw the exploits of the cabal when President Buhari was here which ultimately ruined the country.
The issue of Cabal is a serious one. If we are sincere, there’s no any need for us to prevent Tinubu from having good advisers
“These cabal will not allow Tinubu to function because they operate silently like the did to Buhari. They make more money by giving him wrong advises.
“People in government for 30, 40 years should retire, they are the cabals, they don’t want to leave government because they want to steal. They only depend on government to survive. They have nothing to offer in terms of Management, consultancy service.
It’s the right time for Nigerians to decide so that they can allow Tinubu to perform, they only want to sabotage his efforts. He must monitor them, put them under surveillance and get rid of them in his administration.
“ Nigerians should rise and expose these people around Tinubu for him to work and deliver his promises to the country. These people are out to sabotage his government for their selfish reasons and he should do away with them now before delay,” he said.
Oguntoyinbo charged the governors to invest in tangible projectsvthst sill create employment opportunities to our teeming unemployed youths.
According to him eight years most of this present Governors spend, was the same with Pa Awolowo, covering what comprises 8 states nowadays, yet he achieved so much. Most of our present day Governors could not mention one world class company, corporate institution or industry set up to create jobs for teaming youths being turned out year in, year out, by our ivory towers.
“Today leaders should at least emulate our late sage foot steps instead of all the temporary empowerment programs (Motor cycle, Keke Napep, Pepper grinding machine, Cassava grinding machine, Deep freezer, Fridge, Clipper etc) being used to cajole the electorates at the turn of election every four years.
“A time will come in this nation that people aspiring for position must show a well laid out plan before the electorate.The cash and carry politics will fail as it’s the practise in developed nation.Let us always look forward to lasting legacies.”
Commending the governor of the state, Biodun Oyebanji for what he described as his distinct approach to governance in the last ten months, he urged him to focus on industrializing the state for rapid economic growth and development.
“We thank God for the life of BAO as a governor, he has been trying by establishing good relationship with the people, making himself accessible to the people.
“I must commend him for reaching out to Investors to invest in Ekiti.
“BAO should begin to think on how to put an industry in place and it must stand the test of time”
He has been trying his best in terms of medicals, payment of salary etc but he should look into the issue of Industry to build legacy for himself.