- Former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George has demanded an investigation into how the federal government previously implemented a palliative
- George spoke against the backdrop of the planned monthly distribution of N8000 to families as a sop to the removal of fuel subsidies
- George said that no palliative can be distributed without verifiable data and that there was a need for divine intervention to stop the financial sleaze going on in the country
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has demanded an investigation into how the federal government previously implemented a palliative worth N500 billion.
He spoke against the backdrop of the planned monthly distribution of N8000 to families as a sop to the removal of fuel subsidies.
George, speaking at the Freedom Online Newspapers’ 5th public lecture in Lagos, stated that no palliative can be distributed without verifiable data.
How will the palliatives be distributed?” he asked of the planned palliative. A quick reminder of the N500 billion previously collected monthly and allegedly distributed without data or accountability necessitates an in-depth investigation and punishment.
The elder statesman bemoaned the state of the country, comparing Nigeria’s current situation to that of the biblical Prophet Micah.
He said;
This story by Prophet Micah is akin to the present situation in Nigeria and that is why I want to share this message with all Nigerians.
According to him, there was a need for divine intervention to stop the financial sleaze going on in the country.
He said;
Enough of this deceit: Enough of this rottenness in the financial management of our Nation.
Let us put an end to the economic inequalities, injustice, unfairness in the distribution of our God given resources and our financial wealth. A situation where a sitting Senator collects N23M every month, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary collects N1m per month and a retired General collects N250K as pension per month is despicable, shambolic, nonsensical and outright systemic failure.
I weep for my Country Nigeria but if like Prophet Micah said, our Nation will rise again if we put the fear of God before all human endeavours. Nigeria will rise again. We will rise again.
He also stated that policing should be community-based and advocated for state and local law enforcement.
Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alaba, who urged all political actors to empower youth voices and not use them as instruments of violence or vice perpetration.
Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, represented by his Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, stated that for democracy to flourish and bear expected fruits, certain minimum conditions must be met, including free and fair elections, unhindered citizen participation in politics and civil life, effective enforcement of citizens’ rights, and the supremacy of the law.
Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, Managing Director/EIC of Freedom Online, stated that Nigerians expect good governance, which can be ensured through power decentralisation.