Former Nigerian Bar Association Chairman Chief Wole Olanipekun has made a bold appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to publicly identify individuals and groups responsible for undermining Nigeria's security and their financial backers.
Direct Appeal to President Tinubu
The senior lawyer made this significant declaration during the 29th Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and 6th Empowerment Programme held in his hometown of Ikere-Ekiti over the weekend. Olanipekun described President Tinubu as inheriting the current security crisis, emphasizing that the leader should not bear responsibility for problems he did not create.
"I sympathize with President Tinubu," Olanipekun revealed. "Whenever I meet him, I express that I don't envy his position. Though he applied for this job and accepts the challenges, I still sympathize with him because these problems existed before his administration."
Call for Transparency and Accountability
The legal luminary questioned why Nigeria continues to avoid naming those actively working against national interests. He challenged the prevailing culture of impunity, noting that such destructive activities would not be tolerated in other nations like the United States.
"Why are we deceiving ourselves?" Olanipekun asked pointedly. "Are we pretending as if we don't know those who are waging war against this country? So why are we not naming names? Why are we describing a spade as an agricultural instrument?"
He emphasized that genuine patriots cannot simultaneously sabotage their nation while enjoying its privileges, calling for immediate consequences for those undermining national security.
Regional Federalism as Sustainable Solution
Beyond exposing security threats, Olanipekun proposed constitutional restructuring as the most viable path to lasting stability. He renewed his longstanding advocacy for regional federalism, arguing that this system would better address Nigeria's diverse challenges.
"What can save Nigeria today is regional federalism," the senior advocate declared. "Through the regions, we can integrate properly. I have been saying this since Obasanjo was president and during my tenure as NBA president. That is the only way out for Nigeria."
He elaborated that under this proposed structure, residual powers would remain with regions while specific national responsibilities would be delegated to the central government. This approach, he believes, would enhance governance efficiency, improve security coordination, and foster healthy competition among federating units.
Governor Endorses Philanthropic Values
Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who also attended the event, praised Olanipekun's decades of philanthropic work. The governor emphasized that Nigeria needs more citizens who use their influence and resources to transform lives and build a more educated, productive society.
"I read through Chief Olanipekun's speech from beginning to end, and he consistently spoke about compassion, sympathy, and giving," Governor Oyebanji noted. "The lesson for us today is to ask ourselves: what are we living for? You don't need to be as rich as Chief to give."
The governor encouraged scholarship beneficiaries to embrace values of hard work, gratitude, and community service that Chief Olanipekun has championed throughout his career.
The event, which has run for 29 consecutive years, demonstrates Olanipekun's enduring commitment to educational development and youth empowerment in his home community and beyond.
