Afenifere, Arewa Think-Thank Back Tinubu’s Policies

By Ayodele Oni

Some leaders from the Northern part of Nigeria have stressed the need for inter-regional collaboration and support to move the country forward.

The leaders, under Arewa Think-Tank, a prominent Northern socio-political group, spoke on Monday when they visited the leader of Pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, at his Akure residence to discuss the unity of the federation.

The delegation, led by Mohammed Alhaji Yakubu appreciated the Yoruba leader for presenting President Tinubu to manage the affairs of the country, emphasising on the successes recorded by the administration.

The leader of the delegation explained that if the scorecard of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government is considered, Nigerians would need to give him a second term mandate without much Ado.

He, therefore, declared that the Northern leaders are in support and committed to President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Mohammed Alhaji Yakubu said, “We want to congratulate you in advance for your birthday, for reaching the age of 100.  We know what that means. And in our own way, we are making a special arrangement to storm Akure by the grace of God when the time comes.

“So we are here today to renew our relationship with the Southwest, to reassure the Southwest that the North will stand by President GCFR(sic) Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“And we want to also thank you, sir, for the Southwest to have given us a Nigerian president who has a vision, who has a mission, who has been doing well in the last two years.

“We are also here to present to you his mid-term scorecard, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s impressive mid-term scorecard. We are very sure and very hopeful that he will take us to the Promised Land.

Oba Olu Falae, who responded on behalf of Afenifere said: “From what you said, it is clear that the West and the North have been working together for the peace, progress and unity of this country.

“We thank God now that we have a civilian president who has demonstrated, first, his understanding of the problems of Nigeria and the courage to deal with those problems.

“We all knew that our subsidy was benefiting a gang of people who became billionaires at our expense. But they persuaded us that it was in the interest of the masses that we should stay.

“No government in the past dared to touch it. But Tinubu had the courage, and he did it.

“Secondly, I was horrified that Nigeria had about six different exchange rates. If you want to import raw materials, you’ve got a rate.  If you want to subscribe to a professional society abroad, you’ve got a rate. If you are going on pilgrimage, you’ve got a rate.

“No country with multiple exchange rates is ever going to make it or attract investments from abroad because people want to be certain what the exchange rate will be, first, when they’re investing, and second, when they’re repatriating.

“Again, no government dared to touch those exchange rates. Tinubu had the courage and he removed them.

“When he did so, many people screamed and shouted because it was painful. The price of petrol went up about N4,000 to N1, 200 and the price of everything went up. It was a terrible, terrible hard time. But what he did was necessary.

“But we thank God things are getting better now. The price of food is down, and I am a farmer. This time last year, a Dyna truck full of cassava tubers was N450,000. Today, it’s N150,000.

A “congo” of “Garri” when we announced the policy was N1,500. Today, it’s N700. Those who are doing publicity for him (President Tinubu), I don’t know what they are doing.  These are the things they should be letting the nation know.  This is not a theory.

“A “Congo of rice then was N3,500. Today, it’s N1,500. So, basic food items and food, apart from accommodation, is the most important items. So, despite the very drastic decisions, the economy is getting better.”