Leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa
Ayo Adebanjo, says he does not believe in the forthcoming 2023 general
elections because of the worsening security situations in the country.
He stated this on Friday while featuring on PUNCH Online
Interview Programme on the occasion of Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary.
When asked what kind of characteristics the next Nigerian
President should possess, Adebanjo said, “I don’t believe in 2023, so don’t
waste your time. I don’t believe under the present insecurity situation in the
country, killings here, kidnappings there, raping there, we can have an
election.”
Scores of police stations and offices of the Independent
National Electoral Commission have been burnt in the last couple of months by
rampaging hoodlums who attack government structures, especially in Southern
Nigeria, where the agitation for secession has been the loudest of recent.
‘Tinubu, Osinbajo, Osoba, Akande promised restructuring in
2015 but made a U-turn’
The Afenifere leader also lamented that some All
Progressives Congress leaders including Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Bola
Tinubu, Bisi Akande, Olusegun Osoba, amongst others, promised restructuring
during the 2015 electioneering but reneged on their promises after the election
of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) as President.
He said, “Even those who came into office advocating
federalism like Osinbajo, Tinubu, Osoba, Akande. You remember how they came
into office under restructuring, they now say restructuring is not their
priority.
“Osinbajo is now telling us that there are many things to
restructuring, which one are they talking of. The restructuring they put in the
manifesto of APC, which one is that? The restructuring el-Rufai recommended in
2018, which one is that?
“The restructuring Buhari agreed with (Tunde) Bakare and he
contested election with him in 2011, which one is that? Bakare still says it
loud and clear that it is restructuring I agreed with you before I contested
election with you.”
Adebanjo said at 93, he is a very unhappy man because
Nigeria’s original Independence constitution, which outlined true federalism
and agreed upon by the founding fathers of the country was suspended by the
military after the 1966 coup.
The Afenifere leader said that the 1960 Constitution embrace
fiscal federalism and encouraged regional autonomy, noting that restructuring
is the way forward.
He insisted that the 1999 Constitution foisted on the
country by the military is a fraud and there is the need to revisit the law
guiding how Nigerians agree to live together.
The nonagenarian said, “How can you say a product of the
fraud would amend the fraud?
“They cannot rule us under the rule of the thumb and those
of us who fought for democracy will keep quiet? No, it can’t work.
“In 2021, Buhari telling me Nigeria’s constitution is not
negotiable? What a balderdash! What an insult! That is not the agreement we
made with the founding fathers.
“Who made this constitution? Is it ours? Let him (Buhari)
dispute that.”
Buhari, in his address on Friday, had said, “Nigeria is for
all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be
achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and
prosperity for our nation.”
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