The Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organization Afenifere has condemned recent calls by certain individuals, who, according to the group, are using the recent hunger protests as a pretext to advocate for a military takeover of power in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere emphasized that the country’s democratic system should not be disrupted under any circumstances.
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The organization noted that while the recent protests started with legitimate concerns, they turned violent in some states, resulting in property damage, looting, and reported loss of life. Afenifere also expressed concern over some ‘protesters’ who displayed flags associated with Russia, with some claiming the insignia resembled that 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 an unconstitutional means,” the statement reads.
Afenifere added that since the protest was ostensibly called to push for an end to the hunger and other sundry deprivations in the land, “how come they look in the direction of either the military or a foreign power? 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”.
“This is a far cry from what is obtainable under a military government. So, let us give it a chance,” the group said.
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According to Afenifere, the states where the protests deviated from the promised ‘peaceful nature’ included Edo, Rivers, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Borno, Kano, and Yobe.
The group further explained that in some northern states, the protests not only led to property looting and destruction but also saw overt calls for a coup.
Afenifere stated that while democracy might not yet benefit the country, “it is still the best in our current situation because of its inherent characteristics of making the people the custodians of political mandate. Its elasticity nature allows various tendencies to operate as long as they do so within the ambit of the law.”
“Whether the flags belonged to Russia or the army, the message is more or less the same – inciting the taking-over of government through an unconstitutional means,” Ajayi said.
He stated that since the protest was ostensibly to push for an end to the hunger and sundry other deprivations in the land, “how come they look in the direction of either the military or a foreign power? 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 the hunger in the land.”
