Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has launched a blistering attack on those defending the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by promoting the sale of akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli as sustainable means of livelihood, challenging them to prove their claims by encouraging members of their own families to venture into the business.
Effiong, in a statement posted on his X account on Sunday, described the argument as a “dubious narrative,” insisting that Nigerians battling rising inflation and hardship deserved better economic solutions.
“Suddenly, pseudo intellectuals are pushing the dubious narrative that akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli are sustainable means of livelihood.
“How about groundnut and sachet water business? They should include them too,” he wrote.
The lawyer argued that those championing what he termed the “akara economy” should first demonstrate confidence in the idea by making it the primary source of livelihood for their relatives and political associates.
“The advocates of akara economy should set up this business for their siblings and family members to demonstrate the efficacy of their postulations.
“Since your mother sold akara to train you, why haven’t you opened akara factory for your wife, daughters, sons and political associates to promote and sustain your mother’s entrepreneurial legacy?”
He questioned the economic realities facing small-scale traders, asking whether proceeds from selling akara or roasted corn could realistically meet the soaring costs of education, healthcare, rent and transportation.
“With the collapse of public education, how many akara sellers in this country currently can afford to pay their children’s tuition in private schools?
“How many akara sellers can pay the rising costs of tertiary education and healthcare?
“How many akara sellers can afford to pay the rising rents in Nigeria today?
“How many akara will one sell to be able to buy fuel?”
Effiong stressed that his criticism was not directed at petty traders but at what he described as efforts to present such businesses as sufficient answers to Nigeria’s deepening economic challenges.
He also questioned claims by supporters of the administration that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, had donated billions of naira to non-governmental organisations, demanding greater transparency.
“The defenders of this wicked regime are telling us that Remi Tinubu has donated billions of Naira to NGOs.
“First, they should tell us where she got such money from.
“Second, they should provide the names and locations of the benefiting NGOs, and verifiable evidence that the donations have been properly utilized.”
The human rights lawyer further accused critics of ignoring the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyle of the nation’s political elite and the economic hardship confronting ordinary Nigerians.
“The point is not that akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli aren’t necessary foods, the point is that we are all witnesses to how the Tinubu family has amassed wealth and captured state power to entrench and further their selfish and greedy ambitions.
“We have seen the insane convoy of Remi Tinubu, Seyi Tinubu and their benefactor in Aso Rock.
“It is deceitful and disrespectful for the same family that is living in opulence, amidst the ravaging and dangerous hunger in the country, to be pushing akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli economy.”
Effiong also delivered a scathing assessment of the Tinubu administration, describing its economic policies as a failure.
“Bola Tinubu’s regime has been a wasteful and disastrous experiment.
“We have seen how he is destroying our economy. But his annoying and power monger wife feels she can lecture the victims of their misrule and incompetence about the viability of the akara economy.
“Enough of the silly expositions.”
