The African Action Congress (AAC) has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu for approving the implementation of the Steve Oronsaye Report, which aims to reduce the cost of governance, News About Nigeria reports.
While acknowledging the need to address the duplication of tasks by parastatals, the AAC labelled the announcement of the report’s implementation by the Tinubu government as a ‘ruse’.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party pointed out the contradiction in reducing the cost of governance while allocating billions of naira to subsidise the Pilgrimage Commission.
The party questioned why a secular state should fund religious trips.
The AAC also raised concerns about the creation of the Office of the First Lady and that of the First Son, describing it as a joke.
Responding to a question on whether state governments should follow the federal government’s example in reducing the cost of governance through the implementation of the Oronsaye report, the AAC described the report as outdated and deficient.
The party stated that the ultimate goal should be to reduce the cost of running the lifestyle of those in government.
The AAC criticised the increase in the number of ministers and special advisers, pointing out that the report failed to address the expansion of the executive branch, which contradicts the objective of reducing costs.
The party called for a comprehensive approach that includes scrapping redundant offices, merging legislative bodies, and redirecting resources from bureaucracy to essential services like education.
In conclusion, the AAC said that unless these issues are effectively addressed, following the federal government’s example would result in a defective policy with potential negative impacts on workers.
The party said; “Until this is addressed, the state following what you call the example of the Federal Government is defective. And with our history of poor policy and implementation, the states will just end up laying off innocent workers.”
