Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun State Governor and ex-Minister of Interior, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu on the risk of public revolt if Nigeria’s economic challenges continue to escalate. Speaking at the National Dialogue on Home-Grown Parliamentary System in Abuja on Monday, November 12, Aregbesola voiced deep concerns over the country’s increasing wealth inequality and the concentration of economic power.
“We have seen worsening economic—even political and spiritual—conditions of Nigerians,” Aregbesola stated. “You don’t need to be a nuclear scientist to know that a smaller percentage of Nigerians are now prosperous. Wealth is now limited to a very few, unlike when I was growing up. This tells us we are in deep trouble.”
Aregbesola warned that such inequality could lead to social resistance or even revolution if left unchecked. He argued that Nigerians deserve governance that offers fair opportunities and representation, which, in his view, the current executive system cannot fully provide. Instead, he advocated for a parliamentary system, which he believes better supports collective decision-making, especially in a diverse nation of over 220 million people.
“If we go on believing that one person, no matter how capable, has the capacity to govern over 220 million Nigerians alone, without checks, we are kidding ourselves,” he continued, calling for reforms that prioritize accountability and shared governance.
Aregbesola’s statements highlight the urgent need for reforms in how Nigeria is governed, sparking questions about whether the current system can meet the needs of its people.
Peoplesmind
