President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in Nigeria has heeded the counsel of Primate Elijah Ayodele, a prominent Nigerian prophet, in addressing the nation’s hardships. The federal government has taken significant steps to alleviate the challenges faced by its citizens, reflecting the prophet’s advice and signaling a commitment to improving the country’s socio-economic conditions. This move marks a hopeful turning point for Nigeria, promising relief and progress for its people.
Primate Ayodele, who had previously cautioned Nigerians that the All Progressive Congress (APC) would lead the nation into turmoil, recently reiterated his warning. Months ago, he declared that the only viable solution to alleviate the country’s severe hardships is to subsidize the prices of essential food items. His prophetic words emphasize the urgent need for governmental intervention to stabilize the cost of living and ease the burden on struggling citizens.
To demonstrate effective governance, Primate Ayodele initiated a palliative market program, dramatically lowering food prices to support and guide the government. This initiative has already seen five successful editions across Lagos, Ogun, and Ekiti states, showcasing the feasibility of his recommendations and providing much-needed relief to the communities.
At various editions of the Palliative Markets, Primate Ayodele astonished attendees with incredibly low prices. He sold bags of rice and beans for just N10,000 each, cartons of noodles for N1,000, and litres of groundnut oil for N2,000. The market also featured bags of garri, crates of eggs, tubers of yam, and a wide array of other essential items, all offered at prices that seemed too good to be true.
During his tenure, President Tinubu’s administration made several decisions that drew criticism from Primate Ayodele. The religious leader openly disapproved of the government’s actions, expressing his concerns through advice and public demonstrations.
In 2023, the government proposed sending N8,000 to vulnerable Nigerians to alleviate economic hardships. However, the plan was swiftly abandoned following backlash from prominent figures like Primate Ayodele. He argued that such cash transfers would fuel corruption and fail to positively impact the economy.
“The N8,000 palliative is corruption, I see nothing in the palliative and it will not reach out to the poor masses. Even though Mr President has signed it, it will not make any impact. The governors will use it for their selfish needs. The poor will not enjoy it at all.’’
Primate Ayodele criticized the government’s N8,000 palliative, calling it a total waste. He argued that increasing the minimum wage would have a much greater positive impact. Following his advice, the government has indeed raised the minimum wage, a move that promises broader benefits for the population.
“If truly the government is concerned about the masses, the minimum wage should be increased to N100,000. It will go a long way in cushioning the effects of subsidy removal and inflation. The minimum wage increase will have a direct impact on the people than N8,000 palliatives.”
In a recent video, Primate Ayodele issued a stern warning to the government, stating that without reducing food prices, the current administration would face insurmountable challenges. He emphasized that economic stability hinges on affordable food commodities and suggested that ignoring this issue would prevent any significant progress or breakthrough for the government.
‘’The food they want to sell will not help the society, crash the price of food items, it will lead to your total breakthrough and by the time price of food comes down, the dollar will crash…..’’
In a recent government initiative, 20 truckloads of rice were dispatched to each state government. However, Primate Ayodele criticized the move, warning that it would only exacerbate corruption within the system. According to Ayodele, the distribution plan was flawed and would inevitably lead to misuse and mismanagement, undermining the intended relief efforts.
He remarked that the government’s reluctance to heed advice was the root cause of its persistent failures.
“The Tinubu government isn’t ready to listen to advice. They are not doing what is feasible, Nigerians are hungry and angry, everyone is affected, the president must be careful.’’
‘’Sending trucks of rice to governors that don’t care about the needs of the people, that don’t share in people’s pains, is tantamount to arbitrary corruption. They will give it to their party members, and loyalists and even hoard it.
As a prophet who doesn’t just criticize without offering solutions, Primate Ayodele advised the government again to create designated centres where bags of rice would be sold for a lesser price instead of putting it in the hands of governors.
’This is simple mathematics like God revealed to Pharaoh about famine, God has revealed to prophets the situation of Nigeria, we have said this in 2022 about what Nigeria will experience, it is better the government listens before it kills the economy.
‘’The government should have taken the trucks to markets across the country and sold them at a very subsidized rate to the needy. The impact will be felt more than giving it to state governors,” he added.
In response to Primate Ayodele’s recommendation, the Federal Government has announced the establishment of dedicated centers nationwide where Nigerians can now buy a 50kg bag of rice for N40,000. This initiative aims to ease food accessibility and offer a more affordable option for staple grains across the country.
On Monday, during a briefing at the State House in Abuja, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, announced the latest developments from the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu. Idris highlighted key outcomes and strategic decisions made during the session, reflecting the administration’s priorities and future plans.
Idris highlighted this initiative as part of a broader effort by the Tinubu administration to improve the daily lives of citizens.
Conclusively, it should be noted that for over a year, Primate Ayodele has championed a specific format that he believes the government should embrace. His prophetic guidance has consistently emphasized this approach, and he himself has been faithfully practicing it, demonstrating its effectiveness.
