Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organization, Afenifere, has strongly condemned recent calls for a military takeover in Nigeria, accusing certain individuals of exploiting the recent hunger protests to push an undemocratic agenda. In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere emphasized that Nigeria’s democratic system “should not be truncated for any reason.”
The group expressed concern over the escalation of the protests, which turned violent in several states, leading to the destruction and looting of properties, with reports of lives lost in some areas. Afenifere criticized the actions of some so-called protesters who were seen hoisting flags associated with Russia, and others who claimed the flags bore the insignia of the Nigerian Army.
“Whether the flags belonged to Russia or the army, the message is more or less the same – inciting the taking-over of government through unconstitutional means,” the statement read. Afenifere questioned the logic behind seeking military or foreign intervention as a solution to the country’s economic woes, arguing that such actions would not automatically end hunger and deprivation.
The organization pointed out that while the protests were ostensibly called to address issues of hunger and other economic challenges, the turn towards advocating for military rule or foreign intervention was misguided. “It would be a height of self-delusion to assume that the intervention of either the military or a foreign power will put an automatic stop to hunger in the land,” the group stated.
Afenifere noted that the protests, which took on a violent dimension in states like Edo, Rivers, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Borno, Kano, and Yobe, deviated from the peaceful nature promised by the organizers. In some northern states, the situation worsened with properties being looted and destroyed, and brazen calls for a coup were heard.
While acknowledging that democracy in Nigeria has yet to fully deliver its benefits, Afenifere maintained that it remains the best option for the country, highlighting its inherent characteristics of making the people the custodians of political power. “Democracy’s elasticity allows various tendencies to operate as long as they do so within the ambit of the law,” Ajayi said.
The group reiterated that resorting to unconstitutional means to address the nation’s challenges would only worsen the situation, urging Nigerians to give democracy a chance to evolve and address the pressing issues facing the country.
