Third Term Plans: Afenifere Urges Nigerians To Remain Vigilant To Thwart It

BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Pan-Yoruba umbrella organisation, Afenifere rose from its General Assembly in Akure calling on Nigerians to be vigilant and thwart any attempt to take the country for ride once again.

The meeting which took place at the home of its Leader, Chief R. F Fasoranti, Afenifere specifically warned against what it described as a “rumoured plans to subvert the Constitution of Nigeria to allow President Muhammadu Buhari to have a third term in office.  

Afenifere noted that the plan started with an APC Senatorial candidate in Bauchi last year during a bye-election, declaring that he was coming to the Senate to work for a third term for Buhari.

A communique issued at the end of its General Assembly, Afenifere noted that the plan was followed by President Buhari, who has a maximum of possible 8 years in office telling the country he was going to lift 100million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. 

The communique which was signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumaki noted that to douse the tension the rumoured plot was generating, the President made a denial a few days ago which Afenifere took with a pinch of salt saying that because it is not the first time politicians would pursue what they are denying in Nigeria swearing with Allah/God.

The communique further states; “We have not forgotten that General Buhari told this country in 2011 that he would do only one term if he became President. He is now on a second term. He also promised Nigerians in 2015 that he would not have the office of the first Lady as President. He was mute when the wife issued an order that she must be addressed as First Lady and he has gone ahead to appoint 6 aides for the office. 

Afenifere therefore urged for the plot for a third term to be perished immediately in the overall interest and unity of the nation.

Afenifere General Assembly noted that the reason given by the President for not thinking of a third is the Constitutional limit of two terms, is not enough without talking about what he would do if that hindrance was removed. 

It stressed that with the National Assembly in the pocket, the only hurdle left to change that provision would be two-thirds of Houses of Assembly adding that it has seen Buhari holding a meeting with 36 Speakers of State Houses of Assembly. 

The Afenifere communique further said; “And shortly after this meeting, an APC member in Eboyin State has approached a Federal High Court to compel the National Assembly to remove the constitutional impediments against third term for President and Governors. 

“We have seen this fire before for this smoke not to be strange to us.” 

Afenifere General Assembly therefore advised President Buhari to use his last term in office to create legacies that will place him on the good pages of history, including setting Nigeria on a Federal path that will allow the constituent units of Nigeria to develop and maximise path instead of pursuing any ruinous agenda. 

On the “Hate Speech Bill,” the Afenifere General Assembly, said that it is miffed that in the midst of all the challenges facing Nigerians, the Senate would be concerned with a law to hang people for exercising their freedom of speech and airing views those in power may not like. 

It further said; “The attempt to take away the freedom of expression earned through the sweat and blood of patriots is not only wicked but portrays us as a barbaric polity that operates by tenets of the jungle.” 

The Assembly therefore called on Nigerians not to succumb to what it described as “this totalitarian agenda.” 

According to Afenifere; “All countries that cherish freedom of speech are called upon to shut their borders against all Senators who have spoken in favour of the bill to protect the right of man to air his view without prejudice to the laws of libel.” 

The meeting lamented that human life has become so cheap and unworthy in Nigeria that over four months after the murder in broad daylight of the daughter of Afenifere Leader, Mrs Funke  Olakunrin, the police has not found any clue about the perpetrators of the dastardly act and has not given any brief to the family. 

“We are left with no option than to conclude at this stage that the death of Mrs Olakunrin is a political assassination given the non-challant attitude of the police. 

“This widespread disregard for the sanctity of human life is worrisome as we saw even women dancing all over Kogi singing “ta ta ta ta” during the recent election with people’s lives wasted with impunity. 

“The dastardly act of burning to death of Mrs Salome Abuh even after that declaration of a winner attests to the promotion of culture of violence. 

“Meeting insisted that any country that fails to get the perpetrators of these murders and their types to face the law has its hands soaked in blood with its consequences,” Afenifere declared.