Why Afenifere didn't support Buhari — Fasoranti

Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Afenifere emeritus leader.

*Says nepotism, corruption, insecurity justified our stand

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has justified the reason the group did not support President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 and 2019 elections.

Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, said this while speaking with newsmen after the group’s 70th-anniversary thanksgiving service, held at Saint David Cathedral, Akure, in Ondo State.

Fasoranti said: “The insecurity, corruption and nepotism ravaging the government of President Muhammadu Buhari justified that the decision taken in 2015 and 2019 elections by Afenifere was in the best interest of not only the Yoruba, but Nigerians.

“Corruption and nepotism are the hallmarks of Buhari’s administration since he assumed office six years ago.

“We were justified in not supporting President Muhammadu Buhari. He has not been doing well, that is why we did not support him. There is insecurity in the land. There is corruption everywhere.

“All those who committed one crime or the other, he left them in office to continue their nefarious activities. Thank God we did not support him in his elections.

“My daughter was killed in Ore on her way to Lagos for no reason, up till now; they have not concluded the trial. I know justice will be done.”

Speaking on Afenifere’s 70th anniversary, Fasoranti said it has not been easy for the group especially during the military regimes when members were sent to prison or exile for championing democracy. He stated that despite all their vict
imisation Afenifere remain resolute and determine in its purpose.

Alaafin laments over insecurity

THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi II, has expressed displeasure over the dimension insecurity has taken in Nigeria, even as he insisted that bandits and kidnappers now have the monopoly of violence.

Adeyemi, who spoke in Lagos during the 51st birthday celebration of the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, said the monopoly of violence should be carried out by the government but, regrettably, that was not the case.

His words: “The monopoly of violence must be concentrated in government but, regrettably, we are not having that now. Bandits and kidnappers now have monopoly of violence over the government, which is the reason we are in this current situation.”

Adeyemi, who commended Gani Adams for his steadfastness and doggedness in the struggle for the liberation of the Yoruba race, said he has truly proved the gods right that his appointment was divine: “Gani Adams’ appointment is divine and based on merit. He didn’t contest for it neither did he struggle for it. He was divinely appointed and my prayer is that you will lead the Yoruba race for a long time.”

Methodist Church decries nation's high insecurity

Methodist Church of Nigeria has expressed concern over the high rate of insecurity across the country, including banditry and armed robberies, kidnapping and subsequent demand for ransom from victims.

The church raised the alarm in a communique at the end of the 30th synod of the Diocese of Remo, hosted by the Oko Circuit, Sagamu recently.

The cleric expressed dismay at the new spate of attacks on police stations, especially in the south eastern part of the country and called on the governments to encourage local community policing and vigilante watch groups to nip the development in the bud.

The communique called on politicians, irrespective of their political affiliations to place national and collective interests above personal and parochial considerations, especially as the country is moving towards the 2023 general elections.

It urged government and lawmakers at the federal and state levels and other stakeholders in Nigeria to constructively consider the agitation for restructuring as a way of addressing inequality, marginalization and civil unrest in the country.

Also, the cleric urged parents to discharge their parental duties effectively in monitoring their children and prevent them from joining bad gangs, which has manifested into domestic and religious violence, examination malpractices, cultism, alcoholism, indecent dressing, child abuse, incest, cyber crime, advance fee fraud among the youths.

Culled from Vanguard