Nigeria bleeding from many parts —Afenifere

By Felicia Adedigba

State of the Nation

THE pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenfere, has condemned the spate of killing and kidnapping in the country and declared that Nigeria is ‘bleeding' from many parts as a result of the challenges bedevilling it.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting at Ijebu-Ogbo, the country home of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

Afenifere said it was ready for meetings of stakeholders, where the issues of restructuring, devolution of power, true federalism would be firmed up.

According to Afenifere's communiqué: “The meeting deliberated profoundly on matters affecting Yorubaland and the situation of Yoruba peoples in the present nation called Nigeria.

“The meeting also deliberated on various issues that are not only threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria but making Nigerians live in fears, as many are losing their lives and property to kidnappers and terrorists.

“The attitude of the Federal Government to the decisions of the Southern Governors Forum, at the meeting they held in Asaba, Delta State, with particular reference to open grazing.

“Restructuring and the prospect it holds to halt the rapid descent the country is making into another civil war and possible break up.

“After exhaustive deliberations on these issues, the following resolutions were made:

“Afenifere observes that going by the rate at which terrorism and related vices are spreading, Nigeria is bleeding in many parts. There is the need by the federal government to urgently put a halt to various acts of terrorism, kidnapping, the herders/farmers clashes and the likes. This Government can do, by immediately allowing states to have their police. Security apparatus should be democratised to the local level.

“Given the challenging situations we face, Afenifere calls for, indeed actually ready for meetings of stakeholders where the issues of Restructuring, Devolution of Power, true federalism would be firmed up. The outcome of such deliberations is to be passed into law and be made operational immediately.

“It is a matter of interest that the President said he is now favourably disposed to restructuring. We urge him to send a bill to the National Assembly on it immediately after the planned deliberations by the stakeholders in the country.

“Afenifere strongly holds the position that the above, that is Restructuring, should be done before the next elections in the country.

“In the meantime, every community must be at alert to realise that they must defend themselves from bandits who seem to have declared war on Nigeria.”