The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Tuesday, said neither the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.). nor his party, the All Progressives Congress, can solve the problems facing the country.
The group said it had lost hope in Buhari solving the country’s problems, saying the exit of the President in 2023 will end the problems facing the country.
The group’s acting leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said this while addressing journalists after the group’s monthly meeting held in his Sanya -Ogbo residence, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The octogenarian accused the President of having a vested interest in the activities of herdsmen who he said, should have been declared terrorists.
Adebanjo insisted that the group might not be part of the coming election if the country is not restructured before 2023 election.
The Yoruba leader suggested a national government as part of the measures to solve the problems of the country.
He said, “The solution to the problem is for the man (Buhari) to leave the place.
“The APC has no solution to our problem. What we are talking about is to form a national government to implement restructuring.
“All areas of conflicts are embedded in restructuring the country.”
On the need for Buhari to declare bandits and Boko Haram insurgents terrorists, Adebanjo said, “We have told him long time ago. The National Assembly and Commodore (Kunle) Olawunmi have also said it that he should declare them, including herdsmen and bandits as terrorists.”
Meanwhile, Afenifere has described the visit led by its acting leader to the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as “purely a humanitarian visit.”
The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, disclosed this while speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting.
A delegation of the group had last Tuesday visited Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence following his return from medical trip.
Ajayi said, “The visit of our leaders to former Governor Bola Tinubu is purely on humanitarian ground. He is a Yoruba son. We do not forsake ourselves.
“Afenifere members are Omoluabis and humanists. What the leaders have done is the hallmark of thoroughbred Yoruba men and women.
“We may disagree on principles but we are not political enemies. Even if there is a disagreement on issues, it does not mean that we should not relate.”
The meeting deliberated on various issues concerning the nation, particularly the ways they affect the Yorubas.
The meeting’s communique read partly “Afenifere noted with serious concern the unprecedented security problems accentuated by the influx of people even from outside Nigeria.
“Some of them are disguising as motorcycle riders. We call on the government and security agencies to put a halt to the unbridled influx of people with questionable intention.
“Afenifere observes that terrorism and related vices including kidnapping are now so worrisome that in some cases, our people in places like Yewa, Ogun State, Oke Ogun in Oyo State, etc are forced to be relocating into Benin Republic and other West African countries.
“Urgent actions must be taken to guarantee the security of these people and to put a stop to what is causing them agonies.
“ Afenifere also noted with concern the illegal mining activities going on in various parts of our land, especially by non-indigenes. In many cases, the manner of this activity is not only jeopardising the economic and agricultural activities of our people in these areas, the security of the people is being seriously threatened.
“Afenifere also took particular note of the incessant security breaches in our border towns in Kogi, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo. We hereby strongly call for the protection of the people in these areas.
“It is a known fact that Afenifere strongly stands by the Southern Governors in their resolution on anti-grazing laws.
“We commend the steps taken by governors of the South West on the establishment of security networks like Amotekun. We urge them to continue to forge ahead.
“In view of the fact that Nigeria nation is fast moving into the precipice, there is the need by the federal government to urgently put a halt to various acts of terrorism, kidnapping, herders/farmers clashes and the like. This, government can do, by immediately allowing states to have their own police. In fact, security apparatus should be democratised down to the local level.
“Afenifere again reiterated its position that restructuring remains the panacea to solve the multi various problems bedevilling the country now. And we insist that this restructuring should be done before the next elections in the country.”
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