- counters Adebanjo on protests
Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has called for dialogue as it urged the organisers of the planned hardship protests to be patient with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration over the mess it inherited.
It asked Nigerians to disregard the earlier support for the planned protests by Pa Ayo Adebanjo.
In a statement on Monday by its Acting Secretary General and National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, it said that Nigeria cannot afford a crippling crisis of carnage and rage, now or ever.
The group said it did not want the Kenyan experience which caused ruination to the struggling economy of that country.
Afenifere urged the security services to safeguard the lives of the citizens from hoodlums and anarchists who might hide under the guise of protests to unleash destruction on the nation.
Acknowledging the realities of economic challenges and hunger in the land, the group, however, called on the government at the federal and subnational levels to step up efforts to address these issues with all in their power.
The statement said, “On the authority of the Leader of Afenifere, Chief R.F. Fasoranti, OFR, Afenifere states that; it acknowledges the realities of economic challenges and hunger in the land, while we also cannot deny that there is a global economic downturn ravaging most nations of the world, developed, developing or underdeveloped alike.
“We therefore call on the government at the federal and subnational levels to step up efforts to address these issues with all in their power. It is every citizen’s right to protest as a way of headlining their grievances to the government.
“Afenifere appreciates the philosophy of protest that is meaningful, purposeful, and corrective at its core, and would stand for the citizens’ rights so long as its objectives are noble, peaceful, and not designed to cause rage and mayhem.”
The Yoruba sociopolitical group stressed that the planned “anti-Tinubu” national strike was however taking a clear sinister dimension that is outside the tenets of constructive protests.
“With the threats of violence and force against public officials and family (veiled and unveiled) thrown into the protest mix, it is pertinent that every well-meaning citizen and organisation would stand against such ill-conceived and already tainted protest at such a time like this when the government is striving to get the nation out of the economic woods.
“It is important here to reiterate that Pa Reuben Fasoranti is the Leader of Afenifere and the authentic voice of the group. Pa Ayo Adebanjo is not the leader, as the role of acting leader is already abolished. At the same time, the Council of Elders headed by the Leader himself, Pa Fasoranti, now determines the position and direction of Afenifere.
“In light of this, any communication from Pa Adebanjo or anyone in his proxy does not represent the position of Afenifere. Such would only be acting as impostors, and should not be entertained by the media or general public as Afenifere representatives,” the statement said.
Afenifere noted that Pa Adebanjo is a brand that does not need Afenifere to air his legitimate views, advising the media to note and publish his views as an individual distinct from the organisation, while warning “all those using his name and that of Afenifere under whatever guise should desist henceforth.”
“In light of the above, it, therefore becomes necessary for Afenifere to declare its stance against the proposed ‘rage’ given the undercurrents of threats of hijack and descent into anarchy while asking youths and the general citizenry to exercise restraints, embrace dialogue, and give the government enough latitude to restore confidence in the economy.”
The foremost Yoruba interest group emphasized the citizen’s rights to peaceful protests and sued for peace while admonishing the youths and organisers of the protest to embrace dialogue and be patient with the government.
“Afenifere implores the securities services to safeguard the life of the citizens from hoodlums and anarchists who look to hide under the guise of protests to unleash destruction on the nation,” the statement added.
