Former Secretary-General of Afenifere and chieftain of NADECO, Ayo Opadokun, has said Nigeria’s worsening insecurity is the result of deliberate planning by destructive elements, not an accident.
Opadokun made the assertion in Offa, Kwara State, shortly after his installation as Grand Patron of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Offa Local Government chapter.
Describing the security situation as deeply troubling, the elder statesman alleged that bandits and insurgents are being sponsored by various interests, including individuals and groups determined to destabilise the country.
“Some Nigerians, including agents who want to destabilise Nigeria and those who do not want this government, took far-reaching decisions long ago,” he said.
Opadokun claimed that the Federal Government had previously been warned about the danger of non-state actors possessing weapons more sophisticated than those of the nation’s conventional forces, warning that such a situation was allowed to fester.
He further alleged that as far back as August 2022, meetings involving Nigerian elements and Sahel-region interests were held to plan the destabilisation of Nigeria.
“The current situation is not accidental. It is planned,” he stressed.
The NADECO chieftain urged the Federal Government to intensify its fight against insurgency, insisting that there should be no mercy for bandits and their sponsors.
On the economy, Opadokun commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic policies, particularly the ongoing tax reforms.
According to him, the reforms represent a move toward fiscal federalism and would ultimately relieve many Nigerians of tax burdens.
“By next year, many Nigerians will pay no tax at all because their earnings are insufficient even for basic welfare,” he said, adding that sectors such as banking would also be affected.
However, he cautioned that while economic indicators may appear positive, reforms would remain elitist unless they translate into improved living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
Opadokun said Nigeria stands at a critical point in its history, noting that while the Tinubu administration has shown decisiveness in pursuing structural reforms, leadership must also be defined by empathy, transparent communication and deliberate efforts to carry citizens along.
“Policies, no matter how well intentioned, gain legitimacy only when citizens understand them and feel protected within the process,” he added.
Follow us on:
