By Akinwale Kasali
Pan Yoruba Group, Afenifere, has lamented the current political trajectory of the country, especially the spate of insecurity that bedevils the Nation, stressing that the Nation would have risen, if not that the original Constitution agreed upon by the founding Fathers was jettisoned.
Afenifere in a meeting held at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, at the home of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, stressed that federalism is the only system of Government that could sustain Nigeria as a country.
It said that the Federal Constitution enabled Nigeria to progress very well until the Military scuttled the Republican Federal Constitution in 1966. The Group, it said, has consistently opposed the Military-midwifed Constitution.
The Pan Yoruba Group said that the country should go back to the 1963 Constitution which was abrogated by the military.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, Afenifere said that restructuring that berths true federalism must take place before the 2023 elections.
It added that no matter the party that takes over in 2023, the problems of Nigeria will remain aggravated, if the present Constitution is not changed to devolve power with true federalism entrenched.
The communique also stressed that on the issue of Unity of Nigeria, it believes in the unity of Nigeria but not at the expense of Yoruba interest.
As regards the spate of insecurity, Afenifere said that kidnappers, and killers of the people be declared terrorists and be treated as such.
“It is unfortunate that attitude of the authority on the issue of security in the country has not succeeded in stemming the increasing spate of insecurity in the country.
“On the contrary, bandits and terrorists kept getting emboldened to perpetrate their nefarious activities. It is ironical that some individuals could be seeking clemency for terrorists who are maiming and killing the people without any thoughts for the victims. It goes without saying that whoever deodorizes or abets evil is culpable”.
As usual, the Acting Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo presided over the meeting. Participants came from all the states in the South West as well as Kwara and Kogi States.
Among those in attendance were the Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Assistant Secretary General, Honourable Leke Mabinuori, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Chief Supo Sonibare, Abagun Kole Omololu, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Chief Dayo Duyile, Dr Yomi Atte, Prof Opeyemi Agbaje Comrade and representatives from Kwara and Kogi States.
