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Tag: Afenifere

  • It’s wrong to jail people protesting against hardship- Afenifere tells Tinubu

    It’s wrong to jail people protesting against hardship- Afenifere tells Tinubu

    Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, has said it is wrong to jail people protesting economic hardship in the land.

    Afenifere spoke against the backdrop of the recent incarceration of #EndBadGovernance protesters, warning the government against descent into fascism.

    This was contained in a statement by the group loyal to Pa Ayo Adebanjo and signed by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Afenifere Deputy Leader) and Prince Justice Faloye (National Publicity Secretary).

    10 protesters who were charged for treason and attempting to destabilize the country were granted N100 million bail by an Abuja Federal High Court, on Wednesday.

    But Afenifere called for the “immediate unconditional release” of the protesters and cautioned Tinubu’s administration “from slipping into dictatorship that criminalizes the inalienable right to protest for self-preservation and upholding of social contracts.”

    It said the suspicion of being backed or financed by a foreign country is not enough to jail protesters, reminding President Tinubu that he was once backed by foreign interests to protect against President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said, “Purporting that some protestors, despite not backed by arms, politicians nor ideology, were treasonable because of suspected foreign financers, President Tinubu and his party must be reminded that they were once financially and morally backed by foreign institutions to protest, launch anti-corruption and political campaigns against President Jonathan, who though publicly complained, never charged them with treason, despite clear evidence of foreign foundations and institutions involvement.

    “So President Tinubu and his ruling party have no moral right to charge any protester against bad governance, especially unarmed and underage protestors.

    “The government can’t jail Nigerians feeling the pain and protesting its debilitating economic policies and fuel shortages due to a privatized NNPC that has privatized its retail wing to those monopolizing petrol stations, where huge queues accumulate to buy slightly cheaper petrol at newly acquired NNPC stations while other petrol stations either don’t have fuel or have to sell at exorbitant prices.”

    Afenifere stated that rather than accuse the protesters of treason, the government is guilty of “economic treason” due to its “economic misgovernance”.

  • INSECURITY! Afenifere wants NYSC members to serve within their geo-political zones

    INSECURITY! Afenifere wants NYSC members to serve within their geo-political zones

    The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, wants the Federal Government to allow graduates participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to serve within their respective geopolitical zones.

    This is in response to the escalating incidents of kidnapping and banditry across various parts of the country

    The appeal follows the successful rescue of kidnapped NYSC members who were traveling from Akwa Ibom to Sokoto State.

    The organization commended the Federal Government and security agencies for their efforts and stressed the need for provision of better equipment to enable security personnel perform optimally

    In a statement by Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group reiterates its stance that NYSC participants should be assigned to serve within their home regions, rather than being posted to distant parts of the country.

    According to the statement despite some security successes, the overall situation remains dire, with many Nigerians facing significant threats from kidnappers and bandits.

    Ajayi highlighted the growing fear of kidnappers and bandits, who are increasingly targeting groups and high-profile individuals.

    He urged the government to address the root causes of these security challenges, particularly in areas where government presence is weak or nonexistent.

    Afenifere also expressed concern over the lack of government control in certain regions, making them vulnerable to criminal activities by terrorist groups, traffickers, and other lawless elements.

    The group pointed to the porous borders, which facilitate the influx of small arms and light weapons from the Sahel region, as a key factor contributing to the rise in crime and banditry.

    Furthermore, Afenifere criticized the impact of illegal mining, which has led to poor governance in affected areas.

  • Doyin Okupe replies Afenifere over Tinubu criticism

    Doyin Okupe replies Afenifere over Tinubu criticism

    A former Presidential Spokesperson, Dr Doyin Okupe, says the present economic indicators show that the nation’s economy is beginning to make a recovery and an obvious turnaround is now clearly observable.

    Okupe, a former Director-General of Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, made this remark in an interview with the NAN on Thursday in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the criticism of President Bola Tinubu by  Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio- cultural group,over the socio-economic challenges in the country.

    Afenifere had on Wednesday expressed concern over what it described as the near collapse of the economy.

    The Yoruba group expressed the concern in a communique issued at the the end of its quarterly meeting held in Ogun .

    In the communique,signed by its Deputy Leader, Chief Oladipo Olaitan ,and Deputy Secretary -General, Mr Alade Rotimi-John ,the group said that the state of the economy  had left the people perplexed with hardship.

    Reacting, Okupe said that Afenifere spoke well about the current socio-economic challenges ,but its response was belated.

    “It is commendable that  Afenifere, a pan- Yoruba socio- cultural organisation and now political group,has always  lived to its nationalistic stance.

    “This it does by criticising the government of the day in spite of the fact that a Yoruba man , Asiwaju Tinubu, is the current President of the country.

    “This is one of the outstanding and commendable attributes of the Yoruba people as a race and Afenifere has been consistent in this patriotic display of true nationalism.

    “However, while it is true that the country and its citizens are undergoing very harsh socio-economic conditions, principally because of strong and brave economic policies put in place to correct the economic quagmire brought on the country by the previous administration.economic indicators show that the economy is begining to make a recovery and an obvious turn around is now clearly observable,” Okupe said.

    According to him, all hands must now be on deck to support the administration to succeed in its efforts to revamp the economy  .

  • Tinubu’s administration is plunging Nigeria’s economy into worst crisis – Afenifere

    Tinubu’s administration is plunging Nigeria’s economy into worst crisis – Afenifere

    Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group has said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is plunging Nigeria into an economic crisis that is worse than the Great Depression of 1929.

    According to the group, Nigeria’s economic crisis is far worse than the 1929 Great Depression, noting severe declines in the value of the naira, real wages and overall economic performance since 2014.

    It faulted Tinubu’s reaction to a recent visit by the Patriots led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who called for a new constitution.

    Tinubu reportedly stated that he would prioritise his economic reforms before addressing the issue of restructuring, a stance Afenifere finds unacceptable.

    According to the statement by its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, Afenifere argued that the president’s economic reforms have led to economic hardship and a decline in living standards.

    “We urge the president to reconsider his approach. A comprehensive strategy that addresses both economic and political reforms simultaneously is needed, not just isolated economic measures,” the statement said.

    The group stressed that Nigeria’s economic issues are deeply rooted in its political structure, which prioritises control and economic dependence on a central authority over prosperity.

     

     

     

  • IgboMustGo: Round up those behind unpatriotic move – Afenifere tells security agencies

    IgboMustGo: Round up those behind unpatriotic move – Afenifere tells security agencies

    The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, has demanded the arrest of those behind the ‘Igbo Must Go’ campaign in Lagos State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that a pro-Lagos government X handle @Lagospedia during the week, asked Igbos living in Lagos State and other Southwest states to leave the region within one month.

    “Lagosians and every S’West stakeholders should prepare for the massive protest of #IgboMustGo on the 20th – 30th of August.

    “They have 1 month from now to leave and relocate their business from all S’West States.

    “We urge all Yorubas living in the S’East to return home,” Lagospedia had stated.

    Reacting, the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi in a statement on Saturday, urged Igbos living in Lagos and other Southwest states not to entertain any fear of being forced out of the region.

    Dismissing the threat, the group noted that those behind the divisive campaign are out to cause disaffection among Ndigbo and Yoruba.

    “Those who are being called to be ousted from the Southwest are bandits and unscrupulous herders who are making life difficult for our farmers and rural women. In this wise, our Igbo brothers and sisters living in Lagos and the Southwest should not entertain any fear of expulsion. We are all Nigerians.

    “In view of the serious danger such a call for expulsion poses to peaceful co-existence, Afenifere is hereby calling on the security agencies, Police especially, to round up those behind this unpatriotic move as contained in the quoted LagosPedia post.

    “None of them is singled out for harassment. Only people who are criminally minded have reasons to be afraid. And this is not restricted to non-Yoruba people. Whether you are Yoruba or non-Yoruba, if you contravene the laws of the land, you would be appropriately dealt with in accordance with the rule of law. Otherwise, you have no reason to fear at all, whether you are an indigene or non-indigene.

    “It is on record that Lagos State Government, as is the case with other governments in the Southwest, is doing everything possible to provide for the citizens of the state without regard to tribe, religion or any other coloration. It is therefore very insensitive and mischievous of any person or group to come up with any insinuation laden with ethnic hatred especially at this time that tension is high in the country.

    “We, along with many other well-meaning Nigerians, had earlier called for restraint concerning the protest. We are hereby reiterating our advice to the protesters to put an end to the protests so as to minimize losses”.

  • Afenifere reacts over Abuja highway named after Soyinka

    Afenifere reacts over Abuja highway named after Soyinka

    The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation, Afenifere has commended President Bola Tinubu for naming the Arterial Road N20 in the Federal Capital Territory after Prof. Wole Soyinka.

    Soyinka, a renowned Playwright and Political Activist, is the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.

    Afenifere commended the President for the gesture in a statement on Thursday in Lagos signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Jare Ajayi.

    The group urged Tinubu to inject Soyinka’s humanism philosophy into his governance.

    Describing the honour bestowed on Soyinka as well-deserved, Ajayi said that Afenifere concurred with the President that the literary icon had brought Nigeria fame, pride, and international acclaim.

    “The honour bestowed on the Nobel Laureate is timely, coming as we prepare to celebrate the 31st anniversary of June 12 struggle in which Professor Soyinka played very active roles.

    “Not only that, the recognition is also a befitting prelude to the celebration of the Professor’s 90th birthday which is coming up next week,” he said.

    Ajayi also applauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for recommending the naming of the said road after Soyinka to President Tinubu.

    He added that the actions of the minister and his lieutenants were enhancing the aesthetics and infrastructure of Abuja.

    Afenifere spokesman said that the playwright was globally acknowledged for creatively and humanistically fashioning the drama of existence through poetic, theatric and prosaic presentations.

    According to him, these qualities are underscored by the ceremony in which Soyinka was given the prestigious Nobel award in Stockholm, Sweden in 1986.

    Ajayi said that national honours for a man who had long become a global citizen were long overdue.

    “It is better late than never, though,” Ajayi added.

    He also submitted that it was better that the man was recognised nationally and internationally while still alive “given the immense contributions he has made locally, nationally and internationally to the efforts at ennobling humanity.”

    “Professor Soyinka is one of those who made the world to acknowledge that Africans too are not only endowed but also have a lot to contribute to the ennoblement of humanity.”

    Praising Soyinka for never despising his culture, Ajayi recalled him saying that “One’s own self-worth is tied to the community to which one belongs, which is intimately connected to humanity in general.”

    The Afenifere spokesman called Nigerian leaders to emulate Soyinka and ensure that they act in a manner that relieved the pains of the people and enhanced their self-worth.

    “Soyinka is always challenging those in authority to use their positions to better the lot of the people and to allow free exchanges of ideas.

    “But he is also always quick to challenge individual citizens to always live and act responsibly,” he said.

    Ajayi urged those in and out of public offices to be more responsible and humane in their conducts.

    He said that Afenifere was congratulating the literary and academic icon in advance on his 90th birthday coming up on July 13.

    “We also pray that the Almighty God will bless him with many more decades of good living in robust health and all that would be gladdening to one’s heart, especially at such an advanced age that the intellectual giant has attained,” he said.

    Tinubu, on Tuesday while commissioning the said road which runs from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) in Abuja, announced that the 5.4 kilometers road would now be called ‘Wole Soyinka Way’.

    This is in honour of Soyinka, who was also the pioneering Chairman of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

    Tinubu, in naming the road after Soyinka, highlighted his contributions to literature and his role in elevating Nigeria’s global cultural standing.

  • Pa Ayo Adebanjo is alive not dead – Afenifere douses rumour

    Pa Ayo Adebanjo is alive not dead – Afenifere douses rumour

    Pa Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, is alive.

    In the early hours of Sunday, there was news circulating that the leader was dead.

    However, Sola Ebisieni, the national secretary of the organization in a telephone interview debunked the news of the leader’s death.

    Ebisieni confirmed that the leader is hale and hearty, adding that they were together last night.

    His words “ That is not correct Pa Ayo Adebanjo our leader is alive, he is hale and hearty he has even directed me this morning to issue a statement to that effect. I was with him last night in a meeting with other Yoruba leaders.

    He explained that Pa Adebanjo was mistaken for the former VC of the University of Ibadan, Ayo Banjo who died on Friday.

    “There is a mistaken identity, there was an announcement on the vice-chancellor from the University of Ibadan, Ayo Banjo who died,” he said

  • Afenifere urges Yorubas against participating in protests

    Afenifere urges Yorubas against participating in protests

    Following the planned demonstrations by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) slated for February 27 and 28, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has urged Yorubas against participating in any protest.

    Recall that NLC announced plans to embark on a two-day strike to protest the hardship currently being faced by Nigerians.

    In a statement on Sunday, Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, urged Nigerians to come to terms with the realities of the nation’s challenges.

    He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is working to resolve the challenges it inherited over the years.

     

    “As a responsible leader, I appeal to every Yoruba man and woman, young and old, and our fellow citizens across the nationalities, to exercise patience and refrain from engaging in protests or actions that may escalate tensions.

    “The outcry over the hardship, hunger, and price hikes is not unexpected. However, we must come to terms with the realities of our national challenges, which the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is striving to resolve.

    “While acknowledging the hardships faced by our people, it is important to recognise that these economic measures, although difficult, are part of a larger strategy aimed at restoring economic prosperity and stability to Nigeria.

    “The government’s commitment to implementing these measures is a testament to its dedication to addressing the root causes of our economic challenges, inherited from the ills of the previous years.”

    The elder statesman advised Nigerians to trust the government’s commitment to the welfare of the citizens.

    “Let us engage in constructive dialogue and contribute positively to the ongoing economic reforms. Join me in appealing for unity and understanding among our people. Together, we can weather this storm and emerge stronger as a nation.

    “It is important to note that the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the Naira is not undertaken lightly, as we all know the great damage done to our national prosperity through the nefarious activities of the agents of darkness within the oil and financial sectors.”

  • Anyaoku, Adebanjo, Kalu, other eminent Citizens set to lead agenda to rescue Nigeria

    Anyaoku, Adebanjo, Kalu, other eminent Citizens set to lead agenda to rescue Nigeria

    In its bid to make some amendments on the deplorable state of the nation, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former General- Secretary of the  Commonwealth and chairman of the Patriots, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the Pan -Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Kalu Idika Kalu, former minister for finance, Olisa Agbakoba, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA among others are set to lead 70 eminent Nigerians on a mission tagged Rescue Nigeria.

    The Special Assembly of the eminent national leaders popularly known as The Patriots  released a communique and it was made available to pressmen on Monday, December 18.

    According to the communique, signed and released by the group’s secretary, Olawale Okuniyi, the patriots expressed concerns over the prevailing inseurity of life and properties in the country, the deteriotating economic conditions of Nigeria among many other worrying issues in the country.

    The communique reads: “As a way forward, The Patriots reiterated its position that to tackle Nigeria’s deep national challenges effectively, there is an urgent need to give the country a new democratically generated people’s constitution.

    “The meeting then went on to discuss the modalities for achieving this crucial objective for the unity, stability and prosperity of Nigeria

    “The Patriots in a session later reviewed the state of affairs in Nigeria and again expressed very serious concern and apprehension about the prevailing insecurity of life and properties in the country, the deterioration in the economic conditions of Nigerians, including the massive poverty among the general populace as well as the worsening conditions of sections of Nigeria’s national infrastructure.

    “A detailed roadmap and programme of action of The Patriots for mobilising Nigerian Stakeholders towards rescuing Nigeria from its longstanding political and economic constitutional crisis will be published at the end of the next assembly of The Patriots next year.

    The Patriots also discussed the funeral arrangements for its late chairman, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) and endorsed the burial plans submitted by the family.

    It unveiled the programme of events as follows: Friday, 23rd February 2024 – Valedictory court session in Lagos; Saturday, 24th February 2024 – Day of Tributes in Lagos.

    Monday, 26th February 2024 – Colloquium / Lecture to be organised in Lagos by The Patriots in honour of Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN; Tuesday, 27th or Wednesday, 28th February 2024 – Day of Tributes in Enugu;

    Thursday, 1st March 2024 – Private family burial in Atani, Anambra State; Friday, 2nd March, 2024 – Celebration of his life in Atani, Anambra State and Saturday, 3rd –  Monday, 5th March 2024 – Traditional rites in Atani, Anambra State.

    According to the group, most parts of the above listed funeral programme have been designated for rallying Nigerian stakeholders towards political reconciliation and the re-engineering of Nigeria.

  • Afenifere faults Tinubu’s economic policies, says govt insensitive

    Afenifere faults Tinubu’s economic policies, says govt insensitive

    The Pan Yoruba Socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has faulted the policies of President Bola Tinubu in the last two months in office, particularly the removal of subsidy on petrol.

    Afenifere, in a statement, made available to Journalists in Akure by its Secretary General, Sola Ebiseni, lamented the abrupt increase in the pump prices of petrol from N537 to N617 and beyond in inner states and the proposed distribution of N8,000 cash palliative to 12,000 households across the country.

    The statement titled: “On Petrol Subsidy, Insensitive Policies and State of Governance in Nigeria: Afenifere Speaks for the People”, the group noted that they cannot afford to fold their arms or be seen to maintain silence, neutrality or ambivalence in the face of the latest body blow on the citizenry.

    The statement reads: “Nigeria is currently caught in a labyrinth of inclement weather of a convoluted election process and its unwieldy outcomes, intractable security problems and the nightmarish aftermath of a sudden and harsh removal of petrol subsidy on the other. In less than six weeks, an already asphyxiating economy reeling under the crushing impact of hyperinflation, unemployment, mass hunger and poverty foisted by the gross ineptitude and incompetence that characterised the watch of eight years is looking like an episode drawn straight out of Dante’s Hell.

    “Afenifere as a political group and the rallying platform for social welfarist progressive ideals inexorably committed to the greatest good of the greatest number of Nigerians cannot afford to fold its arms or be seen to maintain silence, neutrality or ambivalence in the face of this latest body blow on an already traumatised citizenry.

    “Our well informed position to tarry on comments on the governance of the federation until the final determination of the true holder of the people’s mandate through on-going judicial processes, may inadvertently be taken for abandonment of our historic role as the people’s ombudsman in the political space, acquiescence in the face of rudderless ship of the state or mistaken to have joined league with those befuddled by chauvinism in laundering incompetence and nepotism or celebrations of inanities.”According to Afenifere, more Nigerians will be plunged into poverty by Tinubu’s economic policies: “The number of extremely poor Nigerians may now be compounded by the multiplier effects of peremptory removal of petrol subsidy, intractable fall of the Naira and surreptitious increase in school fees payable in Federal Government secondary and tertiary educational institutions.

    “It is feared that this latest gross act of thoughtless policy implementation and its unintended consequences will further push Nigeria’s economy down the slope as Nigeria has officially overtaken India as The New Poverty Capital of the World.“There has emerged a wide consensus that the petrol subsidy regime as it had been managed, especially in the last eight years, was becoming ruinous to the economy and could no longer be sustained. The management had been opaque, with no accountability, scant oversight and huge allowance for extreme avarice by a few privileged officials and their private collaborators.“NNPC was the sole importer of petrol and did indeed go into oil swap contracts with some foreign refiners in an arrangement otherwise called Direct Sales-Direct Purchase (DSDP) arrangement.

    “Under this arrangement, NNPC supplied crude oil to these refiners in exchange for refined petroleum products in already pre-defined quantities. NNPC then supplied these products to Nigerians and paid itself huge amounts in the name of ‘petrol subsidy’. How the subsidy came about and how it was calculated was only known to NNPC whose finances and cash returns to Nigeria are not subject to any oversight by the government.”The group explained that while the top three presidential candidates in the last election agreed that the wasteful and corruption-infested petrol subsidy had to go, no one however, expected that the subsidy would be removed in the sudden manner it was done and, totally ignoring the impact on the people and the economy.

    It states: “It is indeed a matter of grave concern that a party and its candidate which made subsidy removal a cardinal campaign issue, did not have a plan on ground to introduce the necessary countervailing palliatives simultaneously to protect the people and the economy. ‘Progressive’ governance, which they have always professed, would have put ahead of everything, the welfare of the citizens and should never be, or made to seem like, an afterthought. If the body is troubled by a tooth that has to be removed, only a quack dentist would dare to pull off the tooth without administering necessary painkillers before, and even after, the removal.

    “Those whom our warped and strange constitution have put in the saddle while their legitimacy is yet subject of judicial inquiry are nonetheless expected to act expeditiously to restore hope to the weak in society and protect the economy by introducing quickly, the much-needed palliative measures. Hitting the ground running is more than a slogan or braggadocio declaration, the run must be well coordinated by competent hands available nationwide and not confined to actors whose efforts have only been exaggerated by the spatial limits of their past endeavours.