Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, on Tuesday expressed concern over the increasing rate of insecurity in parts of Kwara, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States as well as the seeming genocide in Benue, Plateau, Niger and Katsina states.
This is just as it urged the federal government to work harder on its economic reform policies and accelerate its efforts to tackle the increasing security situation in the country.
A communique issued at the end of a caucus meeting held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, signed by Comrade Jare Ajayi, its National Publicity Secretary, the organisation called for the urgent take-off of the much-announced state police, saying that local communities should be encouraged and funded to defend themselves.
The meeting, which was presided over by the Executive Committee Chairman, Oba Olu Falae, equally resolved that the federal government should work harder on its economic reform policies to ensure that the country’s economy bounces back and becomes stronger.
The communique reads: “We feel that while both kinetic and non-kinectic 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 danger or threat to other people, especially in their ancestral homes.”
Afenifere further recommended that modern technology equipment, such as drones and close-circuit cameras, be procured and deployed to address the security situation.
“All the Impediments against the enforcement of Anti-Open grazing laws passed by some state governments be removed. This is to put a check on the destructions being visited on farmlands and stem farmers/herders clashes. The federal and state governments to encourage business entrepreneurs and individuals in the livestock sector to set up ranches.
“Afenifere 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 are 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 become stronger.”
While lauding the federal government for the road projects being carried out in various parts of the country, it 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 quickly move to the sites while those who are already on sites should expedite actions. As Afenifere has repeatedly advocated, we strongly believe that Restructuring of the country is a panacea for tackling most of the country’s problems. In this wise, we call for an urgent Bill to be sent to the National Assembly for this purpose.”
The organisation also congratulated Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on his ascension to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland, praying that his reign would be long, peaceful, and development-oriented.
Fidelis David
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