Afe Babalola criticizes FG’s food palliatives, says it’s turning Nigerians into beggars

Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, criticized the federal government for distributing food palliatives, arguing that it is turning Nigerians into beggars.

Speaking during a visit from the Prestige Sisters League, Babalola expressed concern over the country’s worsening hunger and insecurity, noting that many have abandoned their farms out of fear.

He emphasized the government’s duty to ensure citizens’ welfare and called for the revival of the 1963 constitution to address the nation’s challenges.

 “Those who are complaining about hunger are doing so sincerely. They are hungry. A hungry man can go to any length to show his anger,” he said.

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“We do not need anybody to tell us that there is hunger in the country. The protest was genuine and the government should listen to them.

“The duty of the government is the welfare of the people. The problem we have now is that people cannot move freely.

“They have abandoned the farms. People are being killed in their farms and everybody wants to stay where they are safe. It is because the government has failed in this regard that we have hunger.

“It is wrong for the government to be sharing garri, beans and rice as palliatives. They are turning the people into beggars. The government that is giving the people rice and beans is leading us to poverty.

“The government is discouraging people from working, whereas, the government must provide an enabling environment for people to work and feed themselves.”

Babalola agreed with the Emeka Anyaoku-led Patriots group that Nigeria needs a new constitution.

He said there is no need for a constitutional conference, adding that parliament can bring back the 1963 constitution.