Tinubu’s Administration Taking “Fascist” Shape – Afenifere
Afenifere Will Create A Political Party to Contest In 2027
Afenifere, Yoruba Socio-Cultural Group, has alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is gradually becoming “fascist.”
It can be recalled that one of the prominent members of the group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, publicly refused to endorse the incumbent President during the electioneering campaign.
The action that led to fracas between he and Pa Reuben Fasanroti and the leadership and unity of the body were questioned by several people from various quarters.
Tinubu’s Administration Taking “Fascist” Shape – Afenifere
The group which is known to speak us against irregularities, has berated the administration of President Bola Tinubu for not aligning with the principles of Rule of Law and democracy.
It said this current administration can be likened to that of the regime of Late General Sanni Abacha with recent clampdown on and unlawful arrest and detention of those who speak against his mal-administration.
Tinubu’s Administration Taking “Fascist” Shape. This assertion was made on Wednesday through the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, when interviewed on a National Television Programme in Lagos, Nigeria.
When quizzed if there are factions in the group, Faloye insisted that there are no factions within the group and the spirit of oneness and brotherhood still drives the group, and also disclosed plans are put in notion, by the group, to create own party and contest during 2027 elections.
During the interview, he was asked to evaluate the presidency of Bola Tinubu since taking the mantle of the power, which, in response, he described as “massive failure”, citing persistent intimidation and unlawful arrest of the oppositions.
In his statement, he said, “We are concerned about how this administration is going. Not only is the NLC President being harassed, but we have hundreds of people in jail for treason for partaking in hunger protests.
“The economy has completely collapsed under this present administration, people who have been outspoken against the administration are being arrested and detained.
“We have criminalization of protest under Tinubu where peaceful protesters are threatened, harassed, attacked, arrested and detained unjustly. What do you call all these other than fascism?
“Even the international community has accused Tinubu of criminalising peaceful protests in a democratic dispensation and condemned the trend.
This is unacceptable. This is not democracy anymore. We are sliding into fascism.
“We have urged President Tinubu to listen to the advice of Professor Wole Soyinka recently about fascism.
“We need to ensure Nigeria does not slide into a fascist dictatorship which the Tinubu administration is doing.
“When you arrest underage people because of protest, when you criminalize or select a whole ethnicity and attack people who criticize you, that is fascism.
“A Journalist called Soyinka was arrested and detained, President Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, arrested and detained, protesters arrested and detained. We are gradually moving into General Abacha days if we are not careful.
“We are hereby asking for immediate release of those locked up for treason. What Nigerians are facing in terms of inflation rate, corruption, and economic sabotage is better described as treason.
“The present administration is insensitive to the plights of Nigerians. Economic hardship is biting harder. No hope in sight.
“For the last 20 years, Afenifere has criticised the way Tinubu has been ruling because we are a social welfarist group. We believe in life abundantly, even in Lagos he didn’t do it.
“Lagos would have collapsed under Tinubu if not for the import market we have here, is not because of what he has done.”
Reacting to fielded questions, speaking on the likeliness of Afenifere engaging in partisan politics by creating own political party, diversifying its focus from maintaining sole status as a Socio-Social Group.
Tinubu’s Administration Taking “Fascist” Shape – Afenifere
Faloye disclosed, “Afenifere is in the process of creating a political party that will practice the real democratic principles, ideology and philosophy of late Pa Chief Obafemi Awolowo and clamour for constitutional reform, restructuring of the country, among others.”
Justice Faloye would not hide his disappointment at the misrule and undemocratic style of leadership of Tinubu-led administration of All Progressive Congress (APC).
Meanwhile, he stressed that Afenifere is currently assessing a political which aligns with the philosophy of it to form a coalition with or float own political party to wrestle power in the 2027 general elections.
“So, any party that pushes our cardinal points. We had UPM that formed AD. Is not about a Yoruba party is about the ideology of lifting people and making life abundant.
Shedding light on the suggestion that there are existing factions with the body, Faloye declared, “We don’t have any faction in Afenifere organisation. What we have are a few disgruntled elements who are often hoodwinked by pecuniary gains to support Tinubu administration because of stomach infrastructure.
“At every election, Tinubu takes those who want to eat.
“Despite this, Afenifere is still intact as one entity. Chief Ayo Adebanjo is still the subsisting head of Afenifere after the resignation of Pa Reuben Fasanroti who remains our leader. There is no contention about this.”
It should be recalled that the Pan-Yoruba Socio-Cultural group was not unanimous in their endorsement of President Bola Tinubu during periods leading into the 2023 elections.
They also were divided over endorsing the reelection bid of the immediate-past president Muhammadu Buhari.
Tinubu’s Administration Taking “Fascist” Shape – Afenifere