The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to fulfill his promise of restructuring Nigeria, saying it is the only way to ensure the country’s stability and prosperity.
Afenifere said Tinubu, who was elected on the platform of the group’s ideology, had no reason to abandon the cause of restructuring, which he vigorously championed as the governor of Lagos State.
The group made this statement on Tuesday, after its caucus meeting held at the residence of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo Ijebu, Ogun State.
The meeting, which was presided over by Adebanjo, also had in attendance the deputy leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the treasurer, Chief Supo Sonibare, the former deputy governor of Lagos State, Chief Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele, the deputy national publicity secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, and other members.
The group’s publicity secretary, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, told journalists that Afenifere had developed a blueprint on restructuring Nigeria, which it would soon present to the public.
He said the blueprint was based on the adoption of a parliamentary system of government, which would reduce the cost of governance, enhance efficiency, and promote accountability.
He also said the blueprint would address the issues of resource control, fiscal federalism, devolution of powers, and regional autonomy.
Adejumo said Afenifere expected Tinubu to implement the blueprint, as he had shown his commitment to restructuring in the past.
“Tinubu himself is a product of Afenifere. He was elected on the platform and ideology of Afenifere. He took the federal government to court under the leadership of former President Obasanjo for 31 times in an effort to implement restructuring,” he said.
“He didn’t do anything when former President Buhari was there for eight years, probably he was bidding his time because he knew that northerners won’t implement restructuring because they thought it won’t favor them.
“But Tinubu is there now as the President, he is answerable to us all as a product of Afenifere and as what the whole Yoruba did under the Afenifere in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State in 2017 that what we want is nothing but restructuring.”
He added that Afenifere would continue to advocate for the restructuring of Nigeria, as it believed it was the only way to ensure peace, justice, and development in the country.
He said the group would also collaborate with other regions and groups that shared the same vision of a restructured Nigeria.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would listen to the voice of reason and deliver on his mandate of restructuring Nigeria.
“We believe that Tinubu has the capacity and the political will to restructure Nigeria. He has done it before in Lagos State, he can do it again at the national level. We are hopeful that he will not disappoint us and the millions of Nigerians who voted for him,” he said.
Source: Tribune Online
