Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and former Minister of Interior, has issued a dire warning about the future of Nigeria.
Speaking at a national dialogue in Abuja, Aregbesola cautioned that Nigeria’s worsening economic, political, and spiritual conditions could lead to a revolution if left unaddressed.
The event, which was organized by the Parliamentary System Support Group, also featured prominent figures like former Speaker Yakubu Dogara and youth advocate Chimdi Neliaku. The group is pushing for a transition to a parliamentary system of government, an issue Aregbesola passionately supports.
Aregbesola, who was once a close political ally of President Bola Tinubu, did not mince words in describing the state of the nation.
“We are in deep trouble,” he said. “The economic situation is deteriorating daily, and the wealth gap between the rich and the poor is widening. The poor are growing in number, and the few who are prosperous are fewer by the day. This is not normal.”
He stressed that when the government fails to guarantee basic rights and welfare to its citizens, the risk of a revolution becomes very real. Aregbesola’s message was clear: unless the leadership addresses these fundamental issues, Nigeria is heading toward an uncertain and dangerous future.
According to Aregbesola, the conditions in Nigeria are ripe for social unrest. He pointed to the growing inequality, the lack of economic opportunities, and the failure of the government to address the needs of the people.
“People have a breaking point,” he said. “When the government fails to ensure the welfare and security of the people, it creates a situation where revolution becomes an option.”
Aregbesola’s statement echoes the frustrations of many Nigerians who are grappling with rising unemployment, inflation, and a lack of basic services. He emphasized that revolution is not always about armed struggle; it could be a societal shift driven by the people’s dissatisfaction with the status quo.
He also noted that the current political leadership is ill-equipped to address these challenges. “When I was growing up, wealth wasn’t concentrated in the hands of a few. Today, a small percentage of people hold most of the wealth, and the rest are left to suffer,” Aregbesola remarked.
Aregbesola’s concerns extended beyond the country’s economic woes. He also pointed to Nigeria’s system of governance as a major factor contributing to the crisis.
He called for a shift to a parliamentary system, which he believes would better suit Nigeria’s needs. “It is unrealistic for one person to govern over 220 million people. We need a collective approach to governance,” he argued.
Aregbesola, who implemented the parliamentary system at the local government level during his tenure as governor, expressed concerns about the dictatorial tendencies of Nigerian leaders. He warned that without a proper system of checks and balances, the country could face another form of colonialism.
“Look at our leaders. They act as if they have the right to rule over us without checks,” he said. “If we continue to believe that one individual can rule over millions of people, we are kidding ourselves.”
His call for a parliamentary system is in line with the ongoing push for constitutional reform. In February, 60 lawmakers sponsored a bill in the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution and facilitate the transition to a parliamentary system.
Aregbesola emphasized that the presidential system has led to a concentration of power in the hands of one individual, which he believes is damaging to the country.
“If we continue with this system, we are simply repeating the mistakes of the past,” he said. “The colonialists ruled us because we lacked strength as a people. If we do not empower our institutions, we risk repeating history.”
Aregbesola’s remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The government has faced widespread criticism over its handling of economic issues, particularly the high cost of living and the impact of policies like the removal of fuel subsidies.
Aregbesola criticized the government for its lack of focus on the well-being of ordinary Nigerians. “What we are seeing today is a government that is more concerned with maintaining power than with improving the lives of the people,” he said.
His concerns were echoed by former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who also spoke at the event. Dogara criticized the 1999 Constitution, stating that it failed to create a practical framework for impeachment and other checks on presidential power. He pointed out that the presidential system in Nigeria has been poorly implemented and does not allow for effective governance.
