The Pan Yoruba Socio-political group, Afenifere, berated the National Assembly on Wednesday for approving and procuring vehicles worth N160 million for its members despite the economic hardships experienced by Nigerians.
The foremost Yoruba group’s position was contained in a communique issued at the end of its meeting held at the residence of its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State. The group expressed that the lawmakers are insensitive to the current suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
In the communique signed by the Secretary-General of the group, Chief Sola Ebiseni, it was stated that there was no justification for the procurement of the vehicles, and the lawmakers should focus on fixing the roads across the country instead of purchasing vehicles for themselves.
The communique read: “Afenifere refuses to appreciate the calls for more sacrifices from Nigerians by the government, which members continue to maintain obscene and ostentatious lifestyles.
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“It is most preposterous that members of the National Assembly are approving vehicles worth N160 million Naira for themselves because of the deplorable state of Nigerian roads, as if the responsibility to fix the said roads rests with the taxpayers.
“The Executive is unable to convince the people of the need for a yacht worth billions of Naira beyond ostentatious living. The costs of fuel have risen prohibitively, and the exchange rate of Naira is climbing astronomically without any verifiable economic policy.”
Afenifere also expressed displeasure with the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment on the 2023 Presidential election, stating that “Afenifere viewed with dismay the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which ratified the irregularities, particularly in the Presidential Election.
“Unfortunately, by the Supreme Court’s decision, the electoral reforms achieved through the agitations of Nigerians for quality control through technological devices and the billions of Naira spent on infrastructure in that regard have now gone to waste.”
Regarding the alarming insecurity and the resurgence of cattle herders’ menace, the group observed, “the alarming resurgence of insecurity caused by the activities of armed cattle herders terrorizing farmers, killing people, maiming, and raping women, has made some host communities uncomfortable living with these killer guests.
“While Afenifere appreciates the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to live in any part of the country of their choice, it is essential to ensure that such citizens live in peace with their hosts and respect their culture and economic prosperity.
“Afenifere reiterates our opposition to open grazing of animals and reaffirms a preference for ranching as the world’s best practice of animal husbandry. There is no better time than now to consider that state governments be allowed to play greater roles in the security of their states by establishing their internal policing mechanism.”
The group reiterated its stance on the call for the restructuring of the country, stating, “the need to restructure Nigeria using the reports of the 2014 National Conference and the APC/El-Rufai Committee on Federalism as the irreducible template.
“Afenifere remains committed to the ideals and principles of true federalism. We are proud of our decision and efforts on the 2023 Presidential Election and remain convinced that it was the right step towards a united, secure, and prosperous Nigeria and its continued corporate existence.
“Nigeria is a federation of entrenched ethnic nationalities that has failed to evolve into a nation because of the deviation from the foundational principles of federalism.
“Unless Nigeria is ruled based on true federalism, which guarantees inclusiveness, fairness, egalitarianism, justice, and a sense of belonging to all its constituent groups, it will remain a mere geographical expression with no sense of common nationalism and patriotism.
“In this connection, the only way forward is to change the military-imposed constitution now and re-enact a constitution in line with the foundational federal principles.
“Afenifere calls on the civil society and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands in ensuring that the Federal Government immediately sets the necessary modalities in motion in this regard.”
Those present at the meeting included Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Leader), HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Deputy Leader), Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Chief Supo Sonibare, Chief Pekun Awobona, Chief Segun Ojo, and Dr. Gbola Adetunji, among others.
