The Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, rose from its general meeting on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 declaring that it fully endorsed the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) position that all political parties should zone their presidential candidates to the South for the forthcoming 2023 election.
This was as it said that true federalism must be allowed to be effectively operational immediately, stressing that States and local government Councils must be allowed to enjoy self-governance as provided for them in the Constitution.
Afenifere particularly said that it is convinced that restructuring of the Nigerian State before the 2023 general elections is achievable through the adoption of the Reports of the 2014 National Conference and the 2018 Mallam Nasir El-Rufai Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on True Federalism with desirable modifications where necessary.
These were contained in a communique issued after the meeting of leaders of Afenifere that took place at the country home of its Acting Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State and attended by members from all the states in Yorubaland including Delta, Kogi and Kwara States.
The communique which was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi further states; “The meeting felt that while the country had never met the dream of its founding fathers, the situation had never been this bad socially, economically and politically.
“The situation is particularly worse on the security front as no part of the country is safe at any time of the day any more.
“Before and after independence, various efforts are being made to have a country, Nigeria that everyone would be proud of. A country in which everyone lives a happy life and there is life more abundant for all.
“Afenifere however has no doubt whatsoever that the country can never get out of its present logjam, let alone, develop, unless there is Restructuring.
“The meeting felt that one of the things that has been a great cog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress today was the rubbishing of true federalism.
“In recent times, we have consistently expressed concern on the situation of insecurity in Nigeria today. We have also always recommended what we consider as the ways out of the unprecedented security challenges facing us.
“We strongly call on the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the introduction of State Police equipped with requisite means to enhance security in the states and that of the federation ultimately.
“The performance of Amotekun Security Network in the South West in conjunction with the Nigerian Police has shown clearly that all the criticisms against State Police are unfounded and self-serving,” Afenifere said.
Afenifere also said that it considered Sunday Adeyemo Igboho as a prisoner of Conscience and therefore called on all men and women of conscience, particularly the international community to which human rights and freedom are abiding faith, to prevail on the Governments of Nigeria and Benin Republic to release Sunday Igboho forthwith.
It further said; “Not only that, the federal government should also pay Sunday Igboho the damages awarded to him by the court upon the savage attack on his person and property.
“The meeting also called on the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu even if on political consideration as happened in the case of Asari Dokubo under the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Those that attended the meeting include; former Governor of Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Chief Supo Sonibare, Chief Sola Ebiseni, the Secretary General, Dr. Gbola Adetunji, Chief Korede Duyile, Abagun Kole Omololu, Hon. Leke Mabinuori, Chief Kofoworola Doherty, Dr. Sonaiya and Pastor Adebayo Adenekan.
Others include Chief Tunde Onakoya, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Jumoke Ajasin-Anifowose, Chief Segun Olawoyin, Deacon Owolabi Oladejo, Chief Tola Mobolurin, Chief Olu Pesu, Reverend Goke Omigbodun among others.
