Afe Babalola Condemns FG's Palliatives Distribution, Says It's An Attempt To Turn Nigerians To Beggars, Calls For Revert to 1963 Constitution

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

In a sharp rebuke to the Federal Government, founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola, has criticized the distribution of palliatives by the Federal Government, stating that it risks turning Nigerians into beggars, pushing them deeper into poverty but advocated a revert to the 1963 constitution without delay.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria voiced these views during a visit from the Prestige Sisters League at ABUAD, where he addressed recent nationwide protests. 

Babalola had earlier expressed his support for the Patriots' push for a new constitution, emphasizing the need for change without resorting to a constitutional conference. 

He acknowledged the protesters' frustrations, noting that their grievances are rooted in widespread hunger. 

"The protests are legitimate because hunger is real, and people will go to great lengths to express their anger." 

He criticized the Government's approach of distributing food as palliatives, arguing that this fosters dependency rather than addressing the root causes of poverty. 

Instead, Babalola urged the Government to create an environment where people can work and sustain themselves.

Regarding the Patriots' constitutional demands, Babalola advocated for the reinstatement of the 1963 constitution by the parliament, citing the ease with which changes, such as the reintroduction of the old National Anthem, were made without a conference. 

“Recently, you are aware that President Bola Tinubu asked us to go back to the old National Anthem; there was no conference for it before it was passed by the National Assembly and assented by the President."

He emphasized that the 1963 constitution was a collective effort and should be reenacted by the parliament.