The Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, on Thursday, threw its weight behind the upcoming ’10 Days of Rage’ protest against the economic and insecurity billed to take place nationwide between 1 and 10 August.
The group’s publicity secretary, Justice Faloye, described the planned protest as an organic reaction to the government’s failed economic policies.
“Afenifere is not planning to be a part of the protest, but we support anybody who wants to (express) their fundamental human rights. And because we, in Afenifere, have been warning about the economic policies – that if it continues, ‘if you continue with the (removal of) subsidies and high inflation’, there is no way you can stop people, you cannot tell a hungry man to wait,” Mr Faloye said.
Mr Adebanjo’s faction of Afenifere broke with the Reuben Fasoranti leadership in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election, supporting different candidates.
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While Mr Fasoranti supported the then All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate and the eventual winner of the election, Bola Tinubu, Mr Adebanjo backed the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, instead.
On Thursday, Mr Faloye, who pledged loyalty to Mr Adebanjo’s leadership, said Afenifere had previously lamented the economic policies of the Tinubu Administration.
The Fasoranti-led bloc of the group has yet to comment on the upcoming protest, who are allies of President Tinubu, whom it backed to win the presidency last year, have so far described as politically. motivated.
‘How govt can ensure protest is peaceful’
Mr Faloye also responded to concerns that criminals may hijack the protest.
“In most cases, it is not the protesters that actually cause the problem; it is the government or political thugs that cause the issues,” he said, echoing a view earlier shared by human rights lawyer and senior advocate Femi Falana.
Some socio-cultural groups, like the Northern youth group under the Arewa Youth Assembly, have distanced themselves from the protest.
Similarly, the South-East Governors’ Forum has taken a stand against it.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, one of the most prominent members of Mr Tinubu’s cabinet, alleged that the planned protest is politically motivated.
Top aides of Mr Tinubu – Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu – held a closed-door meeting with ministers regarding the protests. Following the meeting, they urged the youths to give the government more time to address economic concerns rather than proceeding with the protest.
But easing fears about the protest, Mr Faloye said, “We don’t believe that people will come out and start burning. We have seen years and years of protests, and we realise that it becomes violent when the government tries to stop it.”
He pleaded with security operatives to maintain law and order. He said anarchy would only set in if the government used force. He insisted that the protest was not politically motivated but resulted from dire economic issues.
He also cautioned the government against pointing fingers at the opposition regarding the country’s situation.
Mr Faloye also criticised the president for implementing superficial policies that do not address the current economic hardship.
He stated that the sharing of palliatives to the public is not enough to cushion the effect of the tough economic climate.
He advised the government to stop absolving itself of the blame caused by President Tinubu’s economic policies.
He said Mr Tinubu appeared opposed to the ideology of social welfare, which Afenifere holds sacrosanct. Instead, he said Mr Tinubu leans towards the liberal economy, which he believes cannot succeed in an African economy.
He stated that despite the president being a Yoruba man, Afeniere will always criticise his faulty economic policies.
Proffering solutions
Mr Faloye advised the government to reduce the cost of governance, consider economic restructuring, and provide heavy manufacturing jobs by building a full railway complex.
He also believes that local government should be scrapped.
READ ALSO: Abuja not available for protesters Wike
He said state police should be introduced to safeguard farmers, boost the agricultural sector, and address food insecurity.
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