Amina Mansur
The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has said that it is committed to rallying Nigerians in opposition to the rise of unitarianism in Nigerian politics.
In a communiqué issued after its monthly meeting at the residence of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, Afenifere expressed its strong stance.
The communiqué, signed by Deputy Leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan and National Publicity Secretary Justice Faloye, reads:
“Afenifere has resolved to, in the near future, mobilize and join democratic forces alongside all Nigerians who cherish the nation, to resist all forms of unitarianism disguised as policies, tendencies, or pretenses in the Nigerian political system.”
The group criticized the introduction of a bill seeking to establish the National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission (NILGEC) for the conduct of local government elections.
According to Afenifere, this move represents nothing more than a multiplication of the inefficiencies already associated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across 774 local government areas.
Afenifere further stated, “The proposal for a federal agency to conduct local government elections is a tool to advance the ongoing agenda of centralizing power, undermining federalism, and promoting unitarianism under the current administration.”
The organization also condemned all forms of political manipulation and governance tactics that it says threaten Nigeria’s democratic structure, cautioning against efforts to push the nation toward a unitary system contrary to its federal foundation.
Additionally, Afenifere criticized the Federal Government and INEC’s management of elections, noting that the current framework has proven insufficient even for the limited elections it handles under the Constitution.