The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the restructuring of Nigeria into a balanced federation, and allow state police in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
It restated this longstanding call after a caucus meeting held at the Akure, Ondo State capital residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti.
At the meeting, it also appointed a former Secretary to the Federal Government and the Olu of Ilu Abo in Ondo State, Oba Olu Falae as the Chairman of its National Executive Council (NEC).
It urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to urgently initiate the restructuring process.
The association advised that the Forest Guard initiative proposed by the Federal Government should be left for state governments to manage as part of decentralizing Nigeria’s security architecture.
The decisions taken at the meeting were in a communique read by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi,
Ajayi explained that Oba Falae’s appointment is part of efforts to reposition and reinvigorate the organisation, ensuring that the House of Oduduwa returns to effectively project the Yoruba mandate.
He highlighted Falae’s impressive credentials, noting that the former presidential candidate and ex-Finance has served as SGF, minister, managing director of banks, and permanent secretary, experience that would help advance the organisation.
On the national challenges, Ajayi called on the Federal Government and National Assembly to urgently initiate the restructuring process.
“As we congratulate the present administration for clocking two years in office, we urge it to make restructuring a major policy focus in its third year,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the worsening security situation, citing recent kidnappings and killings, including that of Oba James Ogunyanda Ilufemiloye, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Kogi State, and Nelson Adegboyigi, who was abducted and killed in Ondo State despite ransom payment. Violent attacks on communities in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, and other northern states were also highlighted.
Afenifere also reiterated its long-standing demand for the immediate establishment of state police, warning that insecurity is becoming endemic partly due to complicity at political, military, and community levels.
While congratulating President Tinubu on his two years in office, the group expressed hope that his administration would use the remaining tenure to more effectively address Nigerians’ pressing concerns.
The organisation also noted recent National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports on inflation, emphasizing that food inflation and transport costs remain burdensome. It urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to alleviate these hardships.
In his remarks, Abagun Kole Omololu said Falae’s appointment would help unify the group, which has been divided along the lines of the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Fasoranti, to benefit the Yoruba nation and the southwest geopolitical zone.
According to the communiqué: “As usual, the meeting deliberated on issues pertinent to the organisation itself, Afenifere, the Yorubas and the Nigerian nation. Specific issues discussed included the security situation in the country, economy, education, agriculture and health.
“The meeting resolved that in order to reposition the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, properly, The Leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR, appointed Oba Olu Falae, CFR, GCON, as Chairman of the National Executive Committee of Afenifere.
“The meeting, as indicated earlier on, considered various challenges confronting the nation currently. Since we have subjected these issues to rigorous interrogations severally, we have come to the conclusion that the most potent means of tackling the challenges is restructuring.
“As we congratulate the present administration for clocking two years in office, we urge it to make restructuring one of the major policies in its third year in office.
It said that “bandits are, in certain situations, so emboldened that they even go into people’s homes to abduct them, as happened to Oba James Ogunyanda Ilufemiloye, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Kogi State. Mr Nelson Adegboyigi was similarly abducted right in front of his house in Ifon, Ose local government area of Ondo State, earlier this month. He was eventually killed even after the ransom was collected.
“Reports of violent attacks on communities and settlements continue to occur, especially in the Benue, Plateau, and Nassarawa States and in some other parts of the North.
“In light of the foregoing, Afenifere is reiterating its longstanding advocacy for the immediate take-off of state police.
“Here, note is taken of various insinuations that insecurity is becoming endemic because of the complicity at the political, military and community levels.
“Afenifere, at the meeting, heartily congratulated President Bola Tinubu as his administration clocks two years in office. It expressed the hope that the administration will use the remaining period of its tenure to more effectively address issues that are bothering Nigerians.”
In attendance at the meeting were a former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Tokunbo Ajasin, National Organising Secretary Abagun Kole Omololu, Chief Korede Duyile, and Dare Babarinsa, among others.
