Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organization, has strongly condemned calls for a military takeover of power in Nigeria.
The group accused some individuals of hiding behind recent hunger protests to incite unconstitutional means of taking over the government.
Afenifere emphasized that the country’s democratic dispensation should not be truncated for any reason, despite its challenges. The group noted that democracy is still the best option in the current situation, allowing various tendencies to operate within the law.
The group condemned the violent nature of some protests, which resulted in destruction, looting, and loss of lives. Afenifere also criticized the display of foreign flags, including those associated with Russia, which it saw as a call for foreign intervention or military takeover.
Afenifere argued that military or foreign intervention would not automatically solve the country’s problems, including hunger.
The group urged Nigerians to give democracy a chance, despite its challenges.
The group identified several states where protests turned violent, including Edo, Rivers, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Borno, Kano, and Yobe.
In some northern states, properties were looted and destroyed, and calls for a coup were made.
