By Ayomide Joseph
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a leading pan Igbo socio-cultural organization, has kicked against President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to travel to Paris, France on a private visit without transmitting power to Vice President Kashim Shetimma.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo warned that the President’s private visit to Paris, France which is coming on the heels on Nigeria’s daunting economic and security crisis could wrought further consequences on the fragile economic/security situation with Shetimma not given power to act while the president is away in France.
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, a top official of Ohanaeze Nidigbo who spoke to journalists on the subject matter, noted that Tinubu should have adhered to legal and constitutional procedure by formally transferring power to Vice President Kashim Shettima. He postulated that such a move would have empowered Shettima to effectively address the pressing security concerns currently facing the nation.
His comment comes as the country continues to grapple with a series of economic foes occasioned by the devaluation of naira and fuel subsidy removal. The devaluation of the naira has been a significant concern, with recent data from trading platform Naira Rates revealing a further fall to N1,520.123 to a dollar. This decline follows the monetary policies implemented by the Tinubu’s government, which included the scrapping of fuel subsidies and the consolidation of multiple foreign exchange windows into a single Importer and Exporter (I&E) window. According to a recent report by Price Water Coopers, these policies led to a drastic 98% depreciation of the naira’s value, even though the report further projected an improve in the economy in 2024 fiscal year.
The group leader’s concerns is coming against the background of soaring security challenges occasioned by the rising wave of kidnapping incidents across the country.
It would be recalled Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other political leaders, including Mr Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party, have similarly expressed their disapproval of Tinubu’s private trip, particularly during a time of severe economic and security crises.
Isiguzoro underscored the importance of Tinubu fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities by formally transferring power to Vice President Kashim Shettima during his absence. In the statement, Isiguzoro urged the President to consistently communicate the reasons behind his private visits to the Nigerian people.
The statement reads thus: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as the unwavering voice of the Igbo people, finds it both perplexing and deeply unfortunate that President Tinubu opted for a private visit to France. We implore the President to dutifully fulfill his constitutional obligations by formally transmitting power to Vice President Kashim Shettima in his absence.
“Nigerians are already grappling with the severe consequences of escalating security challenges and the dire state of our economy, exacerbated by the depreciation of the naira in foreign exchange markets. Neglecting these urgent issues poses a significant risk, with potential repercussions that could be nothing short of disastrous.
“President Tinubu should consistently communicate the reasons behind engaging in private visits to the Nigerian people. It is crucial to emphasize that Nigerians are deeply dissatisfied with the deteriorating state of security and the persistent decline in economic activities, pushing their patience to its limits. The President must not underestimate the determination of the Nigerian people or take their concerns lightly.
“It is imperative for him to expeditiously address the serious challenges of insecurity and economic turmoil in the first quarter of 2024 to prevent the potential eruption of citizen revolt, similar to those witnessed in Venezuela and the Arab Spring, here in Nigeria.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo fervently prays for President Tinubu to be endowed with divine wisdom in navigating these troubled times. We implore him to recognize the urgent need for proactively resolving the security and economic crises afflicting our nation, as the fate of Nigeria and the well-being of its citizens remain at stake.”
