The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has condemned what it describes as the growing abuse of federal power in Rivers State, specifically targeting the ongoing political crisis surrounding local government elections in the state. In a press release issued by the group’s deputy leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and its national publicity secretary, Justice Faloye, Afenifere warned that the actions of the federal government and its key institutions threaten the very foundation of democracy in Nigeria.

Afenifere expressed dismay at the federal government’s involvement in Rivers State’s political affairs, particularly accusing the government of disrupting the local government elections. “We condemn this deliberate effort to destroy democracy in Nigeria,” the statement read. The organization pointed out that President Bola Tinubu has failed to rein in federal forces that have allegedly undermined state governance in Rivers.

Afenifere criticized both the judiciary and the Nigeria Police Force for their roles in exacerbating the crisis. The statement accused the judiciary of interfering in the electoral process and the police of neglecting their duty to protect the peace. “The two institutions are complicit in the crisis in that state,” the group declared, emphasizing the dangers of this federal overreach.

Nyesom Wike’s Influence and Power Play

The socio-political group also linked the turmoil in Rivers State to former governor Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to Afenifere, Wike has manipulated federal power to sabotage the current Rivers State Governor by attempting to control local governments, a strategy the group called “undemocratic.” Afenifere claimed that Wike, backed by federal resources, has used his loyalists to set local government offices on fire across the state in pursuit of his personal ambitions.

The group condemned Wike’s alleged threat to “burn down any state that doesn’t conform to his personal dictates,” stating that his actions were made possible by the federal government’s support. Afenifere called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to stop lending the police force to what they termed a “sabotage of the country’s democratic process” by federal actors.

Federal Overreach in Local Government Administration

Afenifere further alleged that the federal government’s involvement in Rivers State’s local elections was part of a broader agenda to centralize power and undermine federalism. The organization criticized the Tinubu administration’s attempts to take over local government finance and electoral administration, calling it a veiled strategy for “state capture.”

“The local governments are the pillars of the states, which if taken over will render state governors irrelevant,” Afenifere warned. They compared this federal overreach to foreign colonial powers taking over Nigerian states under the guise of better governance. The group added that while state governors may be criticized for mismanagement, control over local governments should remain within the states’ purview, as dictated by federalism.

Call to Reject the Local Government Autonomy Bill

Afenifere urged citizens, particularly state assemblies, to reject the Local Autonomy Independent Electoral Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which is currently being pushed through the National Assembly. The organization warned that passing the bill would allow the federal government to impose local government chairmen, leading to the establishment of a one-party state controlled by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This bill is a blueprint for state capture,” the statement read, alleging that Tinubu’s actions in Rivers State are a preview of his plans to dominate all 774 local governments across Nigeria, as he has done in Lagos State over the past 25 years.

In conclusion, Afenifere reiterated its call for the decentralization of power from the federal government, arguing that only such a restructuring can guarantee true democracy and efficient governance in Nigeria. The group emphasized that the current centralization of power threatens the nation’s democratic fabric, and urged all Nigerians to resist any move toward a one-party dictatorship.

The statement underscored that the protection of Nigeria’s democracy lies in preserving the autonomy of state governments and their local administrative units, as envisioned in the country’s federal structure.