Hardship: Senior Lawyer Cautions Tinubu Against Igniting Revolution

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and National President of the Old Boys Association of Government Secondary School (GSS) Maraba, Ilorin, Barrister Seni Ibiwoye, has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against underestimating the growing discontent among Nigerians due to the worsening economic hardship. Ibiwoye warned that continued neglect could lead to a nationwide revolution with unpredictable consequences.

Ibiwoye issued this warning on Friday during an interview with journalists at the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1979 set of GSS Maraba, Ilorin, where about 80 alumni were admitted into the school exactly five decades ago. Dressed in school uniforms, over 50 alumni in their 60s and 70s attended the celebration, though 27 members of the set have since passed away.

In his remarks, Ibiwoye expressed concern over the current state of the nation, noting that Nigerians are enduring severe hardships. He emphasized that public sentiment toward the administration has been overwhelmingly negative, with no clear indicators of progress.

“By virtue of my training and philosophical outlook, I always encourage hope. As they say, ‘Where there’s life, there’s hope.’ That’s what I want to preach, even in these trying times,” Ibiwoye stated. “But I must also acknowledge the deep sense of discord and resentment among Nigerians. I witnessed the protests firsthand, and I can confirm that people are not happy. The present situation is unfortunate, but we must continue to hope for the best.”

Ibiwoye cautioned that the situation could spiral out of control if not addressed. “We must be careful. The masses’ protest could escalate into what is called a revolution, which is never planned. This is beyond organized protests by the NLC or NAN; it could involve everyone, and no one can predict how it will end,” he warned.

Sharing a personal anecdote, Ibiwoye recounted meeting a man at a gas station who was buying gas with his last bit of money to prepare the final meal for his family. “The desperation on his face was unmistakable,” Ibiwoye said, highlighting the severity of the situation.

He urged President Tinubu to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. “President Tinubu is in office to serve the people, but Nigerians are groaning under the weight of hardship. I haven’t heard anyone say that things are improving. All we keep hearing is that people should be patient, that hope will be renewed. But if you’re asking people to sacrifice, leaders must lead by example,” Ibiwoye emphasized.

He reminded the President of campaign promises, saying, “During the campaign, President Tinubu pledged to lower the price of PMS and reduce the exchange rate. What has changed between then and now? The President should reduce the cost of PMS and ensure a reduction in foreign exchange rates, and stop taking the suffering masses for granted.”

On a broader note, Ibiwoye called for a comprehensive overhaul of the education system, urging the federal government to prioritize education in the national budget. He emphasized that for education to regain its esteemed status as in the past, it must be given top priority, followed by healthcare.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the 1979 Set of the Old Boys Association, Mallam Abubakar Olarongbe, appealed to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to construct a perimeter fence around the school to ensure the safety of the students, particularly the boarders.

“The governor has already contributed to upgrading the school’s infrastructure, but we are appealing to him to prioritize the construction of the perimeter fence for the security of the students, especially those staying in the boarding facilities,” Olarongbe said.

He also urged the state government to deploy trained teachers to the school to ensure that students receive the quality education needed to secure a brighter future.