Igbo Think Tank Criticises Tinubu For Buying $150Million Presidential Jet While Nigerians Are Starving

Additionally, the ADF criticised the South East Governors Forum for frustrating efforts to establish a regional security outfit to address the growing insecurity in the region.

The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), a leading Igbo think tank, has vehemently criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its apparent indifference to the plight of Nigerians struggling under the current economic policies.

ADF’s National President, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, who stated this in a statement on Sunday, accused Tinubu’s administration of insensitivity to the unprecedented hardship faced by Nigerians.

Specifically, Awuzie questioned the president’s decision to spend millions of dollars on a new presidential jet while Nigerians are struggling to survive.

According to him, Tinubu’s actions demonstrate a lack of concern for the welfare of citizens.

He accused Tinubu of buying “his way into the presidency.”

Additionally, the ADF criticised the South East Governors Forum for frustrating efforts to establish a regional security outfit to address the growing insecurity in the region.

Awuzie’s comments came after a meeting with ADF’s executive, Central Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and founders in Enugu, the statement noted.

Awuzie said: “How can he buy a new presidential jet when the people are dying of hunger? How can you as the President, buy a new car for almost one billion Naira when your people are suffering?

“When the people protested against hunger, the response to the protest was to buy a new presidential jet. It does not show empathy for the people of Nigeria. This is the ugly situation we have found ourselves in the country.”

Commenting on the frightening wave of insecurity in Igboland, Awuzie said ADF was greatly disappointed with the South East Governors Forum, which frustrated an attempt to establish a security outfit in the region.

According to him, rather than support the establishment of a security outfit for Igboland, which they fought for, the South East governors under the leadership of the then Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, for selfish political reasons, preferred the community policing idea of the Federal Government.

He said, “We were all involved in the attempt to articulate our own security strategy, after the South West established their Amotekun Corps. The brother of Dave Umahi was made the Chairman of the Security Committee, but he (Dave) never funded it.

“We were waiting for the inauguration of our own security outfit to police Igboland, when Umahi suddenly said that the governors had accepted community policing. We were disappointed. Where has the community policing taken us? Nowhere.”

On the way forward, Awuzie said they were seeking a more refined, transparent and credible electoral process, adding that when the office holders know they were elected by their people, they will work for them.

He said, “If you see what Governor Alex Otti is doing in Abia State, you will know that he is a man who was elected by his people. So, he knows that he owes his people. He cannot afford to disappoint them.

“However, our governors and all the people ruling us generally have failed the people grossly. Nigeria no doubt is well endowed, but cronyism and sycophancy have taken over.

“Our political leaders do not recruit people who will add value to the system. They are looking for thugs who they will use to win election and continue their looting of public treasury. Here, we have been reduced to a level that you snatch ballot box and ballot papers and become a governor. They don’t care about us.”

Awuzie maintained that it is the duty of Nigerians to re-orientate themselves individually and collectively, to begin to appreciate that they all have a role to play in enthroning good governance and accountability in the country.

He enjoined Nigerians to imbibe some integrity and character, and to ensure that they cannot just be bought, until the country gets to the level that votes would count, in order to hold elected office holders accountable.

Although the meeting of ADF was held behind closed doors, notable among the attendees include the ADF National Secretary and former Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State, Hon. Abia Onyike, Bishop Obi Onubogu, H.R. H Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Professor Simeon Alozieuwa of Medicines Sans Frontieres, Prof. Dozie Chukwuokolo and Chief Chekwas Okorie.

Those who joined virtually include Dr. Sam Ohuabunwa, Prof. M. Aghaji, Prof. Nath Aniekwu, Prof. Ogbonna and L. M Alozie (SAN).