Afenifere Flays FG’s Handling Of Security Challenges, Insists On Restructuring

By Ayodele Oni

Factional Afenifere, being led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo has advised that the permanent option to the insecurity in the country is restructuring as a true federation with a new constitution using the reports of the 2014 National Conference as minimum template.

Rising from its meeting at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun state, the group pointed out that the State Police option should also be considered in the overall security of the nation.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting presided over by its leader, Adebanjo.

The meeting considered reports from delegations sent to Plateau and Oyo states on the Christmas killing and explosion which happened in the two states before arriving at its resolutions.

It urged South West states to fully equip the Amotekun Corps in a greater proportion of weaponry than available to terrorists now ravaging the land.

Afenifere berated the federal government for handling the issue of security with kid gloves and  called on the people to rise in their own defence stating that no action is illegitimate in self defence.

On the leadership crisis within Afenifere,  it resolved that “For the umpteenth time, the Meeting reiterated that Afenifere is the Yoruba interpretation of Action Group, a political party founded in 1951 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his colleagues on social welfarist ideology.

“The Group is constituted by those who subscribe to its ideology.

Afenifere is thus not a Yoruba sociocultural group or social club of Yoruba.”

The Communique

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING OF THE AFENIFERE HELD AT THE COUNTRY HOME OF THE LEADER, CHIEF AYO ADEBANJO AT ISANYA OGBO OGUN STATE ON TUESDAY 30TH DAY OF JANUARY 2024

000 PREAMBLE.

The Afenifere held its regular monthly General Meeting today, 30th day of January 2024, at the country home of the Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.

The Meeting was attended by delegates from the member states and after intensive deliberations on the state of the nation Resolved as follows:

2.00 RESOLUTIONS

2.01 on the Plateau Christmas eve terrorists attacks: Afenifere received reports of the visit of the delegation of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum to the Government and people of Plateau State and the Middle Belt on the killings by terrorists in several parts of Plateau State on the eve of Christmas last year.

2.02 The delegation which was led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the Leader of Afenifere and Deputy Leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum included other leaders across the federation and received by the Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, traditional rulers, Leaders of Thought in Plateau State and other parts of the Middle Belt. It was resolved by all that the country needed be urgently restructured as a true federation with a new constitution using the reports of the 2014 National Conference as minimum template The imperative of State Police was emphasised in the overall security of the nation.

2.03 On the Ibadan explosion: The Meeting further received reports of its delegation led by the Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan to the Government and people of Oyo State on the recent Ibadan explosion.

The delegation and the host Governor Seyi Makinde noted that the unfortunate incident was made possible under the pseudo-Federal military constitution where explosives of that magnitude may be used in states without regulations by the state government.

2.04 On the Amotekun South West Security Networks: The Governor briefed the delegation on the activities of the Amotekun Security Corps. The delegation noted the immense contribution of the Amotekun initiative, commended and urged the governments of all South West states to fully equip the Corps in a greater proportion of weaponry than available to terrorists now ravaging our land.

2.05 Increased terrorists attacks in Nigeria and Yorubaland;

The Meeting was incensed by the activities of terrorists all over the country and its incursion into Yoruba land, the latest being the gruesome and sacrilegious murder of two Obas in Ekiti State.

The Meeting noted the unfortunate kid gloves with which the Federal Government continued to treat Security matters and therefore called on the people to rise in their own defence stating that no action is illegitimate in self defence.2.06 Afenifere:

For the umpteenth time, the Meeting reiterated that Afenifere is the Yoruba interpretation of Action Group, a political party founded in 1951 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his colleagues on social welfarist ideology

The Group is constituted by those who subscribe to its ideology.

Afenifere is thus not a Yoruba sociocultural group or social club of Yoruba.

2.07 The General Meeting as the highest organ, expressed the appreciation of Afenifere for the untiring activities of its leadership in line with the objectives and aspirations of its founding fathers.

The Meeting thus resolved and passed a vote of confidence on Chief Ayo Adebanjo as the Leader and Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the Deputy Leader of the Organisation*.

2.08 Appointments.

The Meeting approved the following appointments

(1) Mr. Alade Rotimi-John as Assistant Secretary General

(2) Prince Justice Jadesola Faloye as Assistant National Publicity Secretary.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo

Leader.

Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo

National Publicity Secretary.