The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Monday, disagreed Pa Reuben Fasoranti over the call on the Yoruba people to not exercise their right to protest in joining the NLC and other protesters concerning the alarming situation in the state of the nation that affects every aspect of governance.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary and Deputy Publicity Secretary, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo and Prince Justice Faloye respectively, said it has always supported the right to protest in a democracy from the beginning when Awolowo protested against the colonial constitutions of 1946 and the 1949 that did not allow for full federalism.
The statement reads: “The Afenifere has distanced herself from the call by some renegade ex-members calling on Yorubas to not exercise their right to protest in joining the NLC and other protesters concerning the alarming situation in the state of the nation that affects every aspect of governance.
“Afenifere has always supported the right to protest in a democracy from the beginning when Awolowo protested against the colonial constitutions of 1946 and the 1949 that did not allow for full federalism.
“Afenifere considers the undemocratic statement by the renegade former members as ill-informed as the president Tinubu they are trying so desperately to protect, was at many times an active protester against President Jonathan on issues such as subsidy removal, Boko Haram Terror and on the abduction of the Chibok girls.
The renegades in their desperate bid to please President Tinubu, conveniently forgot that Citizen Tinubu at that time took the streets to protest and at a time even advised President Jonathan to resign if he found governance beyond his capacity.
“Many would recall that Chief Obafemi Awolowo warned Yoruba states and newspapers like Tribune and Sketch under his influence never to stifle voices of dissent, but embrace voices of opposition, therein, as he posited, the methodology of balancing all views toward a positive solution based effort can only be achieved.
“If ever Afenifere was to advice against a protest, it would be based on solid policy direction and not shallow tribal sentiments to silence the pains, hunger and anger of the masses. Those using the incapacitated retired Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti’s name to tarnish the time tested and trusted Afenifere motto of “Freedom for all, Life more Abundant”, should know that not only would The Afenifere never stop being people oriented, The Afenifere will not also interfere with the peoples’ resolve to exercising their constitutional rights, of which The Right to protest is an integral part of their Fundamental Human Rights.
“The Afenifere from her inception in 1951 to date and having in her fold a succession of seasoned economists and following our indomitable belief system in Democratic Welfarism will rather hesitate in vouching for Tinubu’s IMF’s inclined anti-people policies which have failed in almost every country where such policies have been implemented.
“The Afenifere has never and will never engage in fooling the masses, especially when it is clear millions will slip further into poverty, losing their property and lives. Are people to suffer in silence for untold number of years because they are Yoruba?
