The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere has called on the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to work harder on its economic reform policies to ensure the country’s economy bounces back and strengthens.
Rising from its caucus meeting held at the Akure home of the Leader, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, on Tuesday, Afenifere decried the deplorable condition that banditry had assumed, particularly in parts of Kwara, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States, with the seeming genocide in Benue, Plateau, Niger and Katsina.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and made available to LEADERSHIP in Akure by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the organisation also called for accelerated actions to urgently take off the much-announced state police.
While noting that the security agencies are trying their best, the organisation said a lot still needed to be done to stem the undesirable insecurity situation in different parts of the country.
According to Afenifere, “as the National Security Adviser, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu suggested that local communities should be encouraged and funded to defend themselves.”
Afenifere further stated,” We feel that while both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies are employed to combat banditry and terrorism, community leaders, politicians, and the locals should identify and check internal saboteurs and those who are collaborating with criminals.
“In the same vein, there is the need for strong policies on justice, fairness and a determination to ensure that no group of people constitute a danger or threat to other people, especially in their ancestral homes.”
Afenifere further sugged that modern technology equipment, including drones and closed-circuit cameras, be procured and appropriately deployed, while security personnel should also be motivated and encouraged.
The communique also stated that all the impediments to enforcing anti-open grazing laws passed by some state governments should be removed to prevent the destruction of farmlands and stem farmers/herders clashes.
On the economy, Afenifere said, “It takes note of the efforts of the federal government to tackle the economic challenges the country is facing. Having noticed that the impact of some of the steps taken is already being felt in some aspects of the economy, Afenifere calls on the government to work harder on its economic reform policies so as to ensure that the country’s economy bounces back and becomes stronger.”
The communique added: “The meeting lauds the federal government for the road projects being carried out in various parts of the country. It again called for reconstruction works to be accelerated on Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa-Akure Road, Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road, Ibadan-Ijebu-ode Road, Ibadan-Abeokuta Road, among others.
“We call on the authorities to prevail on contractors who have been mobilised to move quickly to the sites, while those who are already on the sites should expedite actions.
“As Afenifere has repeatedly advocated, we firmly believe that the country’s restructuring is a panacea for tackling most of the country’s problems. In this way, we call for an urgent Bill to be sent to the National Assembly.
‘The meeting heartily congratulates His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as he ascends the exalted throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland. ”
