• Adebanjo and Tinubu
A Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has expressed concern over the lack of commitment of President Bola Tinubu to ensuring true federalism in the country amid his stance on the issue as former Governor of Lagos State.
The Yoruba group said that Tinubu, as the president of the country, who is regarded as a prominent figure in national politics, should use his influence to ensure the implementation of the recommendations made during the 2014 National Conference, reports The Guardian.
The group, in a communiqué after the end of its monthly meeting held at Isanya-Ogbo, Ogun State, the country home of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, urged the federal government to summon the courage to match and reconcile the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference and the reports of the APC (El-Rufai) Committee on Federalism.
It, however, maintained that necessary mechanisms had been put in place to mobilise and galvanise Nigerians to ensure that federalism is achieved and called on other well-meaning organisations and citizens to brace up for the move to ensure true federalism.
The group, which also alleged that the appointment of officials by the Presidency into the National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacked transparency and called on the government to ensure fairness and inclusivity in the selection process, stressed the importance of having independent and impartial individuals in key positions within the electoral body, as their decisions significantly impact the credibility and integrity of the electoral process.
It further stressed that Afenifere shared in the current economic anguish of Nigerians in terms of skyrocketed costs of goods, services, and energy.
Meanwhile, the Afenifere has announced the appointment of Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo as its new National Publicity Secretary, following the earlier suspension.
The group said: “Adejumo, an alumni of the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and indigene of Ibadan, where he holds the traditional title of Mogaji Ikolaba, is now the National Publicity Secretary of the Yoruba Summit Group and a member of the National Caucus of the Afenifere.”
