The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has expressed concerns that the federal government’s distribution of palliatives will not effectively alleviate economic hardship.
In an interview on Channels TV on Tuesday, he suggests that traditional institutions should be utilized for palliative distribution to ensure they reach those in need.
Ooni criticizes the current distribution method, stating that government officials often hijack palliatives for political gain.
He proposes that palliatives be distributed through traditional institutions, like palaces, to ensure accountability and reach the most vulnerable.
Additionally, Ooni urges the government to engage with the masses to address their concerns and prevent the planned nationwide protest.
He acknowledges the right to protest but warns against destructive actions, emphasizing the need for peaceful solutions.
The monarch also highlights the need for local government reform and autonomy, which he believes will bring development closer to the communities.
He offers the support of traditional institutions to the government in implementing these reforms.
“On palliatives, it has not worked, and it’s not going to work, because we know that when you go through a particular route, some will stall it for political aggrandizement,” Ooni said.
“They will want to take a lot of pictures and make a lot of fun fair about it, not knowing that the people that need this thing—some of them are even dying but where is the platform that you don’t even have adequate security. How do they relate with traditional institutions?
“When they are going for the campaign, they get to all our palaces, and they talk to us, so when they are now distributing palliatives, why can’t they drop it in our palaces?
“The same way they know that we have a convergent port, they’ve never done it before when they want to get to people. They know that we are so accountable; we always hold palace courts; people prefer to come to the palaces, and it is all over Nigeria.”
