Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has lamented the spate of insecurity in the country, particularly in the South-West, alleging
Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has lamented the spate of insecurity in the country, particularly in the South-West, alleging that Fulani herdsmen were carrying out various attacks on the people of the South-West without any check from the government. To this end, the group called on the Yoruba people to activate their traditional self-defence against the herdsmen attacks.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had during the second session of the Synod of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, last week, said the issues of Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen in the country, had gone beyond lack of education and employment for youth.
“It is now West African Fulanisation, African Islamisation and global organised crimes of human trafficking, money laundering, drug trafficking, gun trafficking, illegal mining and regime change,” he said.
The group called on the Federal Government to be proactive on the insecurity ravaging the country in order not to drag the country to another civil war. The call was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting of the group, held at the residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on Monday. According to the group, the Fulani marauders are everywhere in the South-West, perpetrating various forms of crimes. The Afenifere said, “Unfortunately, the government in place has betrayed perceived complicity as we are not aware of any member of the group ( herdsmen) on trial for these monumental crimes even when Miyetti Allah has owned up to some of them.
“Instead, the regime has treated them with kid gloves, making excuses for their crimes with our Ministry of Information and presidential media office being made to look like Boko Haram and Miyetti Allah media centre as they issue statements to defend these groups even when they are not defending themselves with the Presidency equating Miyetti Allah with Afenifere and Ohanaeze in order to confer legitimacy on them.
“Of late is the insensitive and impunity-inspired decision of the Federal Government to open a Fulani Radio for the herdsmen in violation of the federal character spirit of our constitution. Those who have studied events in Liberia, Somalia, Rwanda and Sudan would not miss the fact that this was how events started until full-scale civil wars broke out.”
The group noted that the federal government should “immediately readdress its priorities regarding insecurity and begin the process of running an inclusive country in order to avert impending destructive events. We equally call on the international community not to stand aloof as Nigeria drives to the edge of the precipice,” the communique noted.
Afenifere also used the medium to commend Mr Obasanjo for his statements on the alleged Fulanisation attempt.
“We commend his boldness in speaking the truth no matter how inconvenient it may be, which is the hallmark of a statesman. We also acknowledge the forthrightness of the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, Gen David Jemibewon, Col David Bamigboye, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Middle Belt Forum and all other patriots who have backed Obasanjo’s statement. Afenifere states unequivocally that it’s only those who don’t wish Nigeria well and agents of destruction that would dismiss all these patriots as raising a false flag.”
