Afenifere Reveals Why Nigeria’s Problem May Persist After 2023

Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, on Tuesday stated that the problems of Nigeria will persist no matter the political party that takes over after the 2023 general elections.

The group disclosed that the way to sort the issues affecting the country is to either go back to the 1963 Constitution or convene a meeting of ethnic nationalities and related stakeholders.

Afenifere stated this in a statement released after its meeting was held at the residence of its acting leader, Ayo Adebanjo in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The spokesman of the group, Jare Ajayi, in a statement said, “for sure, Afenifere believes in the unity of Nigeria but not at the expense of Yoruba interest. To us, the truism, ‘charity begins at home’ means so much to us.

“Afenifere seriously and comprehensively considered the current political trajectory of the country. The meeting was in no doubt that most, if not all of the problems bedevilling Nigeria would not have arisen if the original constitution agreed upon by our founding fathers had not been jettisoned. 

”The country should go back to the 1963 Constitution that was abrogated by the military or in the alternative, the meeting of ethnic nationalities and related stakeholders should be conveyed. Such a meeting would provide an opportunity for all of us to redefine the basis of staying together. We are still very much convinced that it is in either of the two propositions that solutions to numerous problems afflicting Nigeria lie.”

Afenifere called for the 1999 constitution to be replaced and the country restructured before the 2023 general elections

It added, “Restructuring that berths true federalism must take place before the 2023 elections. We recall that many issues that Afenifere initiated could be unpopular at the beginning. For insisting on true federalism, we were dubbed as separatists. 

“But we are not perturbed. For, we were usually vindicated at the end of the day whenever we take a principled position. We have no doubt whatsoever that no matter the party that takes over in 2023, the problems of Nigeria will remain, if not aggravated if the present Constitution is not changed to devolve power with true federalism entrenched.”

The group called on the Nigerian Government to declare kidnappers and bandits as terrorists and be treated as such

“It is unfortunate that attitude of the authority on the issue of security in the country has not succeeded in stemming the increasing spate of insecurity in the country. 

“On the contrary, bandits and terrorists kept getting emboldened to perpetuate their nefarious activities. It is ironic that some individuals could be seeking clemency for terrorists who are maiming and killing the people without any thoughts for the victims.”

Those at the meeting were the Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Assistant Secretary-General, Leke Mabinuori, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Chief Supo Sonibare, Abagun Kole Omololu, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Chief Dayo Duyile, Dr Yomi Atte and Prof Opeyemi Agbaje among others.