By Abdulquadri Olanrewaju
The Amir (National Head) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, has called on Nigerian political leaders to desist from the ostentatious display of wealth, which he described as insensitive to the plight of the masses enduring economic hardship.
Speaking during the press conference for the 70th Anniversary National Conference (Jalsa Salana), held on 4th December 2024 at the Ahmadiyya National Headquarters in Ojokoro, Lagos, the Amir lamented the nation’s current state, noting that while citizens grapple with the rising cost of living, the political elite continue to indulge in excessive opulence.
He criticized the persistent long convoys of official vehicles, which inconvenience citizens and symbolize the government’s failure to heed the President’s call for reduced cost of governance. “The nation is bleeding, yet the political class continues to display wealth extravagantly. Such practices are both inconsiderate and harmful to our progress,” the Amir stated.
As part of his recommendations, Alhaji Alatoye urged political leaders to match their actions with their words by adopting modest lifestyles and reducing governance costs. He also called for stricter measures to punish corrupt officials as a deterrent, while urging state governors to implement the payment of minimum wages promptly.
Furthermore, the Amir advised Nigerians to pray for their leaders while advocating for an end to practices such as price hikes and hoarding by traders. “Only godliness and truthfulness can lead to meaningful progress. Ungodly actions and falsehood are the root of our challenges,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for Nigerians to focus on locally made goods and services, describing the high taste for imported items as detrimental to the nation’s economy.
