Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), yesterday, warned against any attempt to pull down the President Bola Tinubu-led government over the media buzz generated on the heels of alleged budget padding.

The Secretary-General, Oladipo Oyewole, in a statement in Ibadan, Oyo State, said the group takes a serious exception to the brick-back in the media.

He said: “The YCE, as a totally non-political body, continues to defend the interest of the Yoruba race, to watch with keen interest and speak openly to issues that concern developments in the polity.

“On the issue of padding of the national budget, we take serious objection to the brick-back in the media. Accordingly, we suggest, with all seriousness, that the matter be officially investigated and the truth be told to the people.

“The President and his administration must not be pulled down by any ill-intentioned cause that may not advocate the same for the great Nigeria we are working for. That will be unacceptable.”

On the prevailing food scarcity, the scribe said the situation was due to a re-organisation to prepare the nation and citizens for a better tomorrow.

He continued: “We see the ongoing hunger and hardship experienced by the masses as a result of various forms of re-organisation to prepare Nigeria and Nigerians for a better tomorrow. Food must be made available.

“We, therefore, commend the President for linking resources together for the betterment of humanity, by mid-wifing Niger and Lagos states in the area of food production and exchange for money through marketing and sales .

“This, to us, is a high level management arrangement that takes care of the two states, and indeed, Nigerians

“At this time of hunger, PBAT has shown not only that he cares for the welfare of the masses, but that he is a manager of men and resources. We associate with him.”