•Accuses NASS of ostentatious life, insensitivity to Nigerians’ plight
Fidelis David in Akure
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has berated the recent Supreme Court Judgement which upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election victory, bringing to an end a legal challenge brought by his two main rivals, who argued that his victory was marred by irregularities.
This trails the group’s recent assertion that the federal government must restructure the country and enthrone true federalism as was originally entrenched in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions, stating this will end the nation’s problem of grappling with double-digit inflation, foreign currency shortages, a weakening naira, widespread insecurity and crude oil theft.
Afenifere’s position was contained in a communique issued after the monthly meeting of the group held at the residence of its leader, Ayo Adebanjo, at Isanya Ogbo, in Ogun State.
The communique made available to journalists in Akure, by the Secretary General of Afenifere, Sola Ebiseni, explained that the group viewed with dismay, the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which “ratified the brigandage with respect particularly to the Presidential Election.
“Unfortunately, by the Supreme Court decision the electoral reforms achieved through the agitations of Nigerians for quality control through technological devices and the billions of Naira spent on the infrastructures in that regards is now wasted.”
It noted that the judgment by the Supreme Court has evidently shaken the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court as the last hope of the common man.
“Afenifere remains committed to the ideals and principles of true federalism. We are proud of our decision and efforts on the 2023 Presidential Election and remain convinced that it was the right step towards a united, secured and prosperous Nigeria and its continued corporate existence,” the communiqué further said.
On restructuring, the group said, Nigeria is a federation of entrenched ethnic nationalities which has failed to evolve into a nation because of the deviation from the foundational principles of federalism.
It stated that, “Except Nigeria is ruled on the basis of true federalism which guarantees inclusiveness, fairness, egalitarianism, justice and a sense of belonging to all its constituent groups, it will remain a mere geographical expression with no sense of common nationalism and patriotism.
“In this connection, the only way forward is to change the military-imposed constitution now and re-enact a constitution in line with the foundational federal principles. Except this is done now and quickly all the errors that occasioned the type electoral shenanigans witnessed during the 2023 General elections and the technical judgement by the Supreme Court legitimising same will fester ad infitum.”
Afenifere, therefore, called on the civil society and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands in ensuring that the federal government immediately set the necessary modalities in motion in this regard.
It stressed: “That Afenifere further endorsed the Resolutions of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum to which Afenifere belongs, on the need to restructure Nigeria using the Reports of the 2014 National Conference and the APC/El-Rufai Committee on Federalism as the irreducible template.”
Besides, the group lamented that Nigeria is becoming increasingly ungovernable, following the increasing state of insecurity across the country.
It stated that, “Afenifere observed the alarming resurgence of insecurity occasioned by the activities of armed cattle herders terrorizing farmers, killing, maiming the people and raping women for whom some of the host communities are no longer comfortable living with the killer guests.
“While Afenifere appreciates the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to live in any part of the country of his/her choice, it is important to stretch and ensure that such citizens live in peace with their hosts and respect their culture and economic prosperity.
“Afenifere reiterates our opposition to open grazing of animals and reaffirms preference of ranching as the world’s best practice of animal husbandry. State governments should be allowed to play greater roles in the security of their states by establishing their internal policing mechanism.”
On the decision of the Senate to buy Special Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for members amidst current economic hardship in the country, Afenifere accused the leadership of the NASS of not being sensitive to the plights of Nigerians whom they represent.
Chiding the national parliament, it stated that, “Afenifere refuses to appreciate the calls for more sacrifices from Nigerians by government which members continue to maintain obscene and ostentatious life styles.
It is most preposterous that members of the National Assembly are approving for themselves vehicles worth N160 million because of the deplorable state of the Nigerian roads as if the responsibility to fix the said roads rest with the tax players.
“The executive is unable to convince the people of the need for a yacht worth billions of Naira beyond ostentatious living. The costs of fuel rises prohibitively and the exchange of Naira climbing astronomically without any verifiable economic policy.”
The Yoruba group also called for the immediate release of Abdulazeez Adegbola, better known as Tani Olorun who has allegedly been in detention for close to six months in Ilorin, Kwara State for exercising his right to freedom of speech.
“Attention of the Afenifere is drawn to the case of a young man, Abdulazeez Adegbola better known as Tani Olorun who is charged in multiple courts on the same allegation and still being detained for close to six months in Ilorin Kwara State for exercising his right to freedom of speech and opinion on religious preferences despite being granted bail by courts.
“Afenifere calls on the Inspector General of Police and the Government of Kwara State to ensure the respect of the constitutional rights of Abdulazeez Taniolorun) and release him from unlawful detection forthwith,” the group stated.
