PRESS RELEASE

The Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, held its first annual general meeting on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

The meeting held at the country home of the Acting Leader, Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.

The meeting deliberated extensively on various issues pertaining to the Nigeria nation especially in the way they affect the Yorubas.

The meeting reviewed the various challenges that Nigeria has been facing since independence. The meeting felt that while the country had never met the dream of its founding fathers, the situation had never been this bad socially, economically and politically. The situation is particularly worse on the security front as no part of the country is safe at any time of the day any more.

The meeting also discussed the continued travails of Sunday Adeyemo Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu.

After extensive deliberations, Afenifere resolved as follow:

A. Before and after independence, various efforts have been made to have a country, Nigeria, that everyone would be proud of. A country in which every one lives a happy life and there is life more abundant for all.

Afenifere however has no doubt whatsoever that the country can never get out of its present logjam, let alone, develop, unless there is Restructuring.

B. The meeting felt that one of the things that has been a great cog in the wheel of Nigeria's progress today was the rubishing of true federalism.

Meaning that true federalism must be allowed to be effectively operational immediately. In other words, States and local government councils must be allowed to enjoy self governance as bprovided for them in the Constitution.

C. Afenifere is convinced that Restructuring of the Nigerian State before the 2023 general elections is achievable. It is achievable through the adoption of the Reports of the 2014 National Conference and the 2018 Mallam El-Rufai Committee of the APC on True Federalism with desirable modifications where necessary.

D. In recent times, we have consistently expressed concern on the situation of insecurity in Nigeria today. We have also always recommended what we consider as the ways out of the unprecedented security challenges facing us.

In this respect, we strongly call on the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the introduction of State Police equipped with requisite means to enhance security in the states and that of the federation ultimately. The performance of Amotekun Security Network in the Southwest in conjunction with the Nigerian Police has shown clearly that all the criticisms against State Police are unfounded and self serving.

E. The meeting considered Sunday Adeyemo Igboho as a Prisoner of Conscience. Afenifere called on all men and women of conscience, particularly the international community to which human rights and freedom are abiding faith, to prevail on the Governments of Nigeria and Benin Republic to release Sunday Igboho forthwith.

Not only that, the federal government should also pay Igboho the damages awarded to him by the court for the savage attack on his person and property.

F. The meeting also called on the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu even if on Political consideration as happened in the case of Asari Dokubo under the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

G. Afenifere at the meeting deliberated on the meeting of the South and Middle Belt Forum, SMBLF, held in Abuja earlier this month. The meeting fully endorsed the SMBLF call on all Political Parties to zone their Presidential Candidates to the South for the forthcoming 2023 election.

The meeting was attended by some leaders and members of Afenifere from all the states in Yorubaland including Delta, Kwara and Kogi.

Among the leaders in attendance were the former Governor of Kwara State, Cornelius Adebayo, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, Femi Okunrounmu, Supo Sonibare, Sola Ebiseni, the Secretary General, Gbola Adetunji, Korede Duyile, Kole Omololu, Leke Mabinuori, Kofoworola Doherty, Ebun Sonaiya, Tunde Onakoya, Femi Lanlehin, Jumoke Ajasin-Anifowose, Segun Olawoyin and Owolabi Oladejo, Olu Pesu, Goke Omigbodun to mention a few.

Signed:

Jare Ajayi,

National Publicity Secretary