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Calls for President’s Resignation
- Safiu Kehinde
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has declared President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda a scam as he called for the President’s resignation.
Aregbesola made the call during his address at the ongoing National Convention of the ADC in Abuja on Tuesday.
The former Osun state governor charged Nigerians to be cautious, insisting that the administration has failed to live up to its campaign promises.
He recalled Tinubu’s Renewed Hope campaign which he labelled a scam as he alleged that none of the campaign promises have been fulfilled.
“Distinguished delegates and our revered leaders, four years ago, this government promised Nigerians Renewed Hope.
“Now three years into his four years tenure, he still promising renewed hope. When exactly will this hope come into fruition?
“The answer is simple. It is a scam. If allowed, this regime will continue chanting renewed hope till eternity.” Aregbesola said.
He accused the Tinubu-led government manipulating the electoral law and decriminalising criminality in what he labelled khakistocracy tendencies.
“The APC is a party which has fostered on the party an electoral law that speaks forgery and making false claims in electoral documents.
“In order words, the ruling party is decriminalising criminality. We proclaim our existence is worth unneccessary sacrifices. We cannot allow Khakistocracy in Nigeria.” Aregbesola said.
The ADC National Secretary proceeded to criticise the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration across every sector.
He debunked the President’s claim of stabilising the foreign exchange rate in the country.
“The government claimed that the recent reduction in the exchange rate shows its mastery of economics.
“This is false. In truth the exchange rate which was about N700 to the Dollar at the open market, not the official, when this government assumed office in 2023, is now about N1,400.
“This amounts to a 100 percent devaluation in an import dependent economy. This is terribly devastating.” Aregbesola said.
On the oil and energy sector, the ex-governor claimed the cost of fuel has skyrocketed under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration while several parts of the country are experiencing inadequate power supply.
“The cost of a litre of fuel was, before this administration, between N185 and N238- depending on the part of country you are.
“Now it is about N1,400 per litre and still rising. Cost of transportation is now so prohibitive that it has become unrealistic for some workers to go to work.
“The administration told Nigerians that if he does not solve the power problem by providing constant power supply, he should not be voted for a second term.
“Today, power supply is far worse with some parts of the country receiving an average of two hours daily and some being in darkness for stretch of weeks and months.” He said.
Aregbesola maintained that Tinubu deserves to voluntarily resign having failed, particularly on the energy sector.
He accused the President of making desperate attempts to retain power.
“Ordinarily, having made such a promise and failed woefully, an honest President should simply step down and not seek re-election.
“Rather, what we are witnessing is the most desperate attempt by a candidate in the Nigerian electoral history to retain power at all cost, even if it means bringing down the entire democratic system.” Aregbesola said.