Tinubu shouldn’t spare non-performing ministers – AYCF chief

Since the elimination of the fuel subsidy, Nigerians have been experiencing hardship. What, in your opinion, ought to have been done by the federal government before such a move?

The federal government ought to have considered the refineries issue. First, the refineries ought to have been operating. The previous administration had this plan to declare a state of emergency so that refineries could be built, but it was never carried out. That’s the first step. Second, they should investigate the question of the workers’ minimum wage. Critically, I don’t believe a sane person could have anticipated that N50,000 would be sufficient to meet the demands of any worker in this nation today. They ought to have performed more admirably. The administration ought to have started formulating ideas for policies that would help Nigerian workers.

Thirdly, it’s accepted that this is a worldwide issue for which everyone should make sacrifices, whether you like it or not. But the issue I’ve been having lately is this: if you’re talking about making a sacrifice, why should Nigerians alone do it without those in government? You can tell by all the signs that even the National Assembly members are becoming more and more demanding every day. They are all doing little to advance themselves in the legislative and executive branches of government. There is no indication that they are making any kind of sacrifices. Why should sacrifices only be made by the majority of the population? So, let the executive and legislative branches start setting an example.

Let’s start by observing that the governors’ convoy of 50–60 cars is likely down to five–six cars at most. This convoy they travel in at the expense of taxpayer money baffles me. They ought to lessen it. Let’s start by reducing the large convoy on the president’s fleet. Then, let’s start to see or hear the National Assembly, cutting the fictitious compensation they receive to just a fourth. These are those whose monthly income exceeds N12 million. Let them lower it to N1 or N2 million. That is sacrifice, and they won’t think of it when they look at Nigerians’ faces simply because they want to abuse their sensibility; instead, they’ll come up with the concept of using common language to coerce Nigerians into believing that it is time to make sacrifices. When politicians are unwilling to make sacrifices of their own, why should the average person be expected to? At the National Assembly, whose interests are they defending? These are some of the things I anticipate them doing to persuade Nigerians to affirm that this is a time of crisis and that everyone must pitch in because partnership is key.

Are you concerned about this strike action’s potential outcomes and the threat it poses to our democracy given the circumstances in the Niger Republic?

Well, those of us who are descendants of these country’s wars have witnessed both the military’s involvement and their effects. Some of us are involved in the pro-democracy movement, including someone like me who comes from a South-West background of struggle; I served as a foot soldier for NADECO and attended PRONACO conferences alongside people like the late Pa Anthony Enahoro and Prof. Wole Soyinka, as well as serving as a leader at the time as the platform’s youth director and promoting democracy. Some of us believe that anything that will obstruct a democratically elected administration poses a threat to those who are the beneficiaries of the struggle because we are aware of the struggles we underwent.

We are aware of the number of victims from the time of the battles. Since then, several aspects of our life have changed. Some of our current coworkers are still traumatised, as we are aware. Ever since, they have not recovered. Therefore, every force in the 21st century on the African continent must consider a nation that plans to stage a coup against an established government to be a threat. Because if that is allowed to continue, we cannot be certain that Nigeria won’t experience the same thing, so we must stand against it and denounce it in its entirety. You can be confident that you have the same elements in your country that may likely exploit your adjacent country and do the same if you believe that your neighbor’s house is on fire and that yours is safe. For some of us who are Democrats, I believe it is wrong. Whatever the complaints, in my opinion, they should be brought up for discussion. We only recently started to notice countries like Mali overthrowing their governments.

Of the Chad and a few other nations, I am aware of this. Since the situation in the Niger Republic affects us greatly, this must not be allowed to continue. Direct effects on Niger have indirect effects on us. It is urgent that we take action. I applaud President Bola Tinubu for agreeing with his colleagues to reject the coup in the Niger Republic as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States. They have steadfastly maintained that they will find a method to bring back Niger’s legitimate government. I believe it’s a positive step because this threatens democracy not just in Nigeria but throughout all of Africa.

However, the coupists’ challenge to President Tinubu and the ECOWAS leadership, which questioned the legitimacy of the current Nigerian administration, has called into question their threat to the Niger coupists. How does that connect to our democratic process, in your opinion?

Legitimacy is one thing, but not the only one. This Nigerian government was duly elected before it was overthrown. So, whether something is popular or unpopular, it is up to the people to determine. There is always due process, whether it is to vote him out or to recall him in accordance with their constitution and give him the remaining four years. I’m not familiar with how they manage tenure. However, if they are sincere, they can always hold another election and select anybody they please. However, it is not a good notion and should not be promoted if someone decides to take up arms and forcibly remove a sitting president who was democratically elected because they now feel that the populace is unsatisfied.

A legitimate government is one that was chosen by the people. It is lawful if the candidate was chosen by popular vote. So, I’m not sure when they decided to claim that the government is not genuine. Whether you like it or not, there is no vacuum in front of Nigerians today. The Independent National Electoral Commission recognised someone in that position and declared him to be the next president. Some of us were present when the election took place, and we were aware that someone had won. So, if you think it isn’t legal, go to court and argue that it is, but for us, it is legal.

There are horrible losers who never thought they could lose in our country, and that is our problem. They either went to their local doctors or some bogus prophet told them they had to win the election. They left with that attitude and believed they would not lose, therefore they claimed Nigeria would never have peace because they had lost the poll. Any attempt to put us in a bind will be met with fierce resistance from all sides.

What actions do you wish the North’s president, Tinubu, to take?

He must consider the region’s high unemployment rate as well as ways to lessen the number of Almajiri living in the North’s cities. Given that some of our political leaders are only in office to look for ways to earn money and buy mansions, I regard them as a menace and a time bomb ready to go off in the future. These days, you drive your children around in your fancy cars, believing that you are doing yourself a favour. There will be a moment when you can no longer drive that car and when the mansion you built will be demolished. Because of this, I frequently warn them that if they don’t work to create a just society in which their neighbours’ abandoned children will live, attend school, and achieve better lives for themselves, then these same kids will end up becoming a ticking time bomb that prevents you from enjoying your family in the future. We’ll probably have to deal with that.

If someone is appointed, Tinubu should hold them accountable. He shouldn’t behave like Buhari, who would name a minister and then completely forget about it for the next seven to eight years because no one had ever questioned the nomination. In his situation, Tinubu must keep an eye on the performance of ministers and other appointees who have been given responsibilities so that, if necessary, he may fire them and choose someone else to take their place. This will allow you to compare the unemployment rate across the country at the end of the day.

It’s important to consider youngsters who are not in school. In order to get the support of state governments, let him develop policies in conjunction with them and engage in dialogue with them. The kids that are running around the streets can also enrol in schools. In order for individuals who cannot attend school to also benefit, this administration must introduce skill-acquisition programmes that will be helpful to the general public. We will have fewer issues if we do this since it will enable them to be productive and contribute to the region’s well-being. Otherwise, if things keep going the way they are, additional Boko Haram organisations will probably start to appear soon.

What concrete measures do you want the government to take to encourage youth participation in nation-building?

The government must put them in the spotlight, hire new personnel, and give them responsibilities in order for them to be given official positions inside the government in order to prevent a national catastrophe. These are some of my opinions because I believe that if he keeps promoting the same old individuals just because they are his friends—some of whom ought to be retired by now—and you are giving them appointments because you think that some of them have anything to contribute, you are not doing the country any favours. He can collaborate with many of our talented and bright young people, and they will perform better. Some of us found hope in him not only because he was a survivor of adversity, but also because we were aware that he had occasionally been the key to the success of many members of the younger generation.

No leader in the nation today, in my opinion, is as able to openly claim that this is what he has accomplished as Tinubu, who made sure to provide many young people with the chance to develop and become who they are today. That accomplishment is unmatched in the nation. We clearly recall that he appointed several of them as governors, senators, and even vice presidents. Even during the election, he was kept alive by his extensive network of contacts. We hope to see him do more of that in the future so that he will be remembered for it.

What specifically is your forum doing, outside of activism and pro-democracy activities, to lessen the scourge of banditry, drug misuse, etc. among young people in the North?

To educate the majority of these younger elements, we started awareness campaigns. Even so, no matter how much you try, your efforts could not be noticed if the government, either at the state or municipal level, doesn’t cooperate with you and support you. In order to ensure that we have a platform, we are working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to try and lessen the scourge of narcotics. We recently conducted one in Kano State, and we continue to work nonstop in other regions to inform people of the risks associated with drug misuse before they become a serious threat to our future generations, particularly in the country’s north.

What young people consume in the north of the country is not available in the south, according to observations. You start to wonder when and how it started. When did things progress to the point where that threat exists in practically every home? But we are making every effort, with the help of the NDLEA, and under the direction of Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (ret.), who has been leading us admirably since he is a man of action. We are aware of his lineage. We’re getting some help, and the outcome is what we wanted. We are giving it our best effort, but it is not enough because we still want the government to examine itself and provide better services than what we currently receive.