Afenifere urges national unity government to tackle insecurity

Reiterates restructuring before elections, state police

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, yesterday, advocated a “Government of National Unity” to tackle insecurity plaguing the country and “midwife a new democratic government.”

This was among the resolutions after the group’s second general meeting held at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, the country-home of its acting leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

The meeting was attended by leaders and members of the organisation from all the states in Yorubaland.
Among the leaders in attendance were a former deputy governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele; Chief Supo Sonibare as well as chairmen and members from the states.

The meeting reviewed various challenges facing Nigeria, particularly the insecurity that is threatening the country very seriously.

It lamented that the situation was now so precarious that no part of the country is safe at any time. A communique, which was signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, reads: “The meeting reviewed the various challenges that Nigeria is facing, particularly the chocking insecurity that is threatening the country. The meeting also discussed the general elections slated for next year, 2023.

“An issue that Afenifere has been advocating, restructuring, was discussed once again.

“First, the situation in the country is now so dire that there is an urgent need to approach the issue in a more decisive manner. In view of the seriousness of the situation and considering the fact that the current administration, under President Muhammadu Buhari, has shown that it is incapable and unwilling to tackle the identified problems, Afenifere hereby strongly advocates Government of National Unity.

“Second, such Government of National Unity is to tackle the insecurity problems and midwife a new Democratic Government.”
Afenifere also reiterated its position that restructuring of the Nigerian state must take place before the much-expected elections, adding: “We also recommend that states that are ready must be allowed to establish their own police forces.”

The performance of Amotekun Security Network in the South-West, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has shown clearly that all the criticisms against state police are unfounded and self-serving.”