Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Ralph Nwosu, National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticized President Bola Tinubu for what he perceives as a lack of exemplary leadership in honoring the memory of Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola during the June 12 Democracy Day celebration.
Nwosu expressed disappointment over Tinubu’s approach to commemorating the day, highlighting concerns about Tinubu’s stewardship in guiding the nation’s affairs in relation to Abiola’s legacy.
He said the president as a chieftain of NADECO was not a true ambassador of democracy which Abiola fought for in the struggle for June 12 following the worsening economic hardships, insecurity, hunger and skyrocketed inflation ravaging the country and could do nothing except giving out palliatives to the citizens which can’t solve the problems of Nigerians.
Nwosu, who made the disclosure on Wednesday while commissioning the party’s new Secretariat at Itoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, said that ADC was ready to take over the reigns of power in Aso Rock come 2027 and govern the nation in MKO Abiola’s democracy leadership skills to build a better Nigeria.
He specifically mentioned removal of fuel subsidy as one major mistake Tinubu made when he assumed office in 2023, saying since then the prices of goods and services have continued to increase putting over 200 million Nigerians into perpetual suffering and hardships stressing that such problem can not be solved in six years.
The ADC National Chairman wondered why despite the suffering of the Nigerian masses the Tinubu administration still went ahead to build a house of N21 billion for Vice President Kashim Shettima asking if the president was truly practicing the democracy Abiola and other NADECO loyalists fought for to put and end to military rule in the country.
He said “You know what pains me when I was driving in here I was just thinking today is June 12 for the fact that a NADECO chieftain was sworn in and is in the villa and is that time that we are facing the greatest hardships it says something who is truly a NADECO and who is truly a fake NADECO.
“Let us work for the people of Nigeria and let us not be hypocrites I wish President Bola Tinubu well but he has not shown the ambassadorship of democracy. And I said it from the very first day. You get into office and the first you increase fuel by 500 percent you destroyed the economy even in six years you can’t fix it therefore all of you must be prepared we must see them off.
“Of what basis will somebody’ll who get into government say I will lead you with palliatives while they stay in a mansion worth 21 billion they are spending it in your face and they are giving you palliatives. And the palliatives is bring one bag of rice and share it with 21 families, meanwhile one person is spending 21 billion naira to build a fucking house and we say we are in Nigeria, all that will stop and we are laying the foundation to get it done.”
“People who fought for democracy all of us we fought the military, we fought them and make sure the country reverted to democracy among us they are people who are fake and today some people are in the villa in instead of giving us true dividends of democracy they are giving us crumbs the are serving you palliatives with that you question yourself the memory of MKO Abiola must live but there is alot of people who eat under him to commit atrocities behind all of us God will espoused all of them.” he added.
Nwosu, however, hinted members of the party at the gathering that the party Secretariat will be named June 12 Youth Center Abeokuta, which houses the ADC Secretariat and and skills acquisition centre, adding that come 2027 the party will take over all elected political posts in the state particularly the government house.
Those who graced the event included the Presidential Candidate of ADC in 2023 elections, Dr. Chukwuka Monye, the Southwest Chairman of the party, Mr Razak Eyiowuawi, State Chairman, Mr Itunu Abioro, among other dignitaries.