• Says protest not targeted at Yoruba interest
• Afenifere denounces planned action, cites sinister dimension
• Disowns Adebanjo as group leader

The Yoruba Revolutionary Movement (YOREM) has declared its support for the nationwide protests scheduled to hold on August 1-10, 2024. National Coordinator of YOREM, Wale Balogun, who spoke during a media briefing, at the weekend, dismissed allegations that the planned protests are targeted against Yoruba interests, calling it a “mischievoustate-sponsored propaganda.”
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YOREM emphasised that the protests are a collective struggle against suffering, hunger, and hardship in Nigeria, and urged Yoruba youths, students, artisans, and professionals to participate.

Balogun, while condemning the use of Oro cult as a political weapon to intimidate voices of dissent, urged Yoruba people and Lagos residents to defy and resist the illegal curfew imposed by the “political Oro.”

The group also called on security forces to handle protesters with decorum, stating that protesters are not waging war against the Nigerian state but demanding an end to hardship.

Balogun, who criticised compromised pro-democracy and self-determination elements for sabotaging the protests and urged Yoruba people to shun and shame them, also noted the rich political tradition of the Yoruba in resisting oppression and exploitation.
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YOREM, which dissociated itself from compromised civil society organisations and self-determination activists that have pitched their tent with the oppressors, endorsed the genuine aspirations of the Yoruba for peaceful protests against anti-poor policies.

However, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has dissociated itself from the planned “anti-Tinubu national strike,” citing a sinister dimension that threatens violence and chaos.

In a statement, yesterday, signed by its National Organising Secretary and Acting Secretary-General, Kole Omololu, Afenifere expressed concerns over the planned protest, which it believes, has been hijacked by elements bent on causing mayhem.

Afenifere emphasised that the planned strike might take a dangerous turn, with threats of violence against public officials and their families. It, therefore, urged government to address the economic challenges, but urged citizens to exercise restraint and embrace dialogue.

The group, which also clarified that Reuben Fasoranti is the authentic leader of Afenifere, and not Ayo Adebanjo, warned the media and the public to be cautious of communications from Adebanjo or his proxies, as they do not represent the group’s position.
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