Former Secretary-General of Afenifere and NADECO chieftain, Pa Ayo Opadokun, has described Nigeria’s worsening insecurity as a deliberate and premeditated attempt to destabilise and ultimately destroy the country.

Opadokun spoke on Sunday in Offa, Kwara State, on the sidelines of his installation as Grand Patron of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Offa Local Government chapter.

According to him, armed bandits and insurgents operating across parts of the country are being sponsored by vested interests determined to weaken the Nigerian state.

“Some Nigerians, including agents who want to destabilise the country and those who do not want this government, took far-reaching decisions against Nigeria long ago,” he said.

The elder statesman described the current security situation as deeply troubling, lamenting what he called government failure to heed early warnings.

“Nigeria was warned that allowing non-state actors to carry weapons more sophisticated than those of the conventional army was dangerous, but those warnings were ignored,” he said.

Opadokun further claimed that the present crisis was premeditated, citing what he described as a high-level meeting in 2022.

“I can say this without fear of contradiction. I was at Nicon Hilton in August 2022 where a four-day meeting involving Nigerians and Sahel-based elements discussed plans to overrun Nigeria. What we are seeing today is the outcome. This situation is not accidental; it is planned,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government to intensify its anti-insurgency efforts, insisting that there should be no leniency for bandits or their sponsors.

On governance and the economy, Opadokun commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as bold economic decisions, particularly the ongoing tax reforms.

“The President is taking a shot at fiscal federalism. I said last year that the tax reform bill would pass. By January, many Nigerians will pay no tax because their income cannot sustain basic welfare,” he said.

He added that while the reforms would affect institutions such as banks, Nigerians should appreciate what the administration has achieved so far, even though expectations remain unmet.

“As NADECO members, our goal remains a return to true constitutional governance. Nigeria is still operating a unitarised federal system imposed by military rulers. We do not have a home-grown constitution,” he said.

Opadokun also expressed confidence that President Tinubu would use the remainder of his first term to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

“Given my relationship with the President, I believe he will translate positive indicators into realities on the tables and in the homes of Nigerians,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that the immediate effects of the reforms have been harsh.

“Inflation, rising living costs, declining purchasing power, and pressure on small businesses have deepened hardship. Any honest assessment must admit that the burden of reform has fallen disproportionately on ordinary citizens,” he stated.

He stressed that while the administration has shown decisiveness, leadership must also demonstrate empathy, transparency, and effective communication.

“Nigeria is at a critical point in its history. These reforms signal a willingness to confront long-standing problems, but positive indicators will remain elitist until they translate into improved quality of life for ordinary Nigerians,” Opadokun said.

He further called for restraint in public discourse, constructive criticism, and accountability at all levels, warning that national reforms must not come at the cost of Nigeria’s soul.
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