The Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu although being a Yoruba man is not a member of their group.
Dr Ugoji Egbujo in an article titled ‘Isw Tinubu settling scores? linked President Tinubu with Afenifere because he is Yoruba.
The group, in a communique issued at the end of its general meeting held at the Isanya-Ogbo, residence of the Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Ogun State, described the article as ” deliberately mischievous”.
The group alleged that Tinubu, in 1999 and since 2003, has done everything in his power to divide and neutralise Afenifere in politics.
They insisted that Afenifere’s beliefs are based on creating an equitable society that is centred on delivering the greatest good to the largest number of citizens while also highlighting the country’s present social and economic challenges under the Tinubu-led administration.
Part of the Communique reads: ” Meeting’s attention was drawn to an article published in the Vanguard newspaper of 26th October 2024 titled Is Tinubu settling scores? authored by a Dr Ugoji Egbujo respecting President Bola Tinubu’s sleight of hand or skilful deception in his conduct of state affairs.
” Meeting noted that Dr Egbujo mischievously linked President Tinubu with AFENIFERE because he is Yoruba. The meeting approved a wholly definitive response to the article. The response is produced hereunder.
” Is Dr. Ugoji Egbujo being deliberately mischievous?
” First, he knows that Tinubu is not Afenifere. He masqueraded as one in 1999 and, since 2003, has done everything in his power to divide and neutralise Afenifere in politics. He also knows that the Afenifere that has asserted itself as a socio-political group, a true descendant of Awo’s politics supported in the last elections, not Tinubu but Obi. So why try and hang an Afenifere tag on Tinubu? He is Yoruba, but not an Afenifere. There is a difference.
Just as he is tagging Tinubu as Afenifere, he is also saying, “Don’t blame the Yoruba”. Indeed, just like not all Igbos supported the antics of Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan who surrendered his government to the antics of two of its most powerful officials to fill every critical office not commandeered by the SS with their Igbo kinsmen and women.
” Dr. Egbujo also acknowledged that lopsided appointments were a hallmark of Buhari’s government. It was the same with all the military governments since 1983, which ultimately provoked the National Question debate under Babangida after the Orka coup. Afenifere has provided the answer to the National Question: restoration of Nigeria back to a more devolved federation.
“This is the only way to put a terminal end to these endless cycles of central government being seen as the turn Nigeria into the estate of any ethnic group or alliance of ethnic groups who rig themselves into power at the centre to the exclusion of other groups.
Afenifere invites Dr. Egbujo to join in the struggle to create a more balanced federation, for which Afenifere or its derivative has fought since 1951.
“Afenifere belief is anchored on building an egalitarian society, focused on providing the greatest good to the greatest number of citizens. Any government that fails these tests is not Afenifere; it may wear a masquerade that proclaims it is Afenifere, and it may even be surrounded by Yoruba people who claim to be Afenifere but true Afenifere know that it is not Afenifere.
“If it doesn’t look like a duck, doesn’t swim like a duck, and doesn’t quack like a duck, then it’s not a duck. Tinubu is Yoruba, not an Afenifere,” the communique added.
The group added that it will continue to be the nation’s conscience and the haven for the downtrodden and disenfranchised above all other political groups in Nigerian history.
