The pan-Yoruba socio-political and cultural organization, Afenifere, has strongly condemned the calls by some individuals in Nigeria who, under the guise of the recent hunger protests, called for military intervention in Nigerian politics.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the organization asserted that the country’s democratic dispensation “should not be sacrificed or truncated for any reason.”
Afenifere’s denunciation came on the heels of calls by some people who, under the pretext of the recently concluded protests, urged the military to stage a coup and seize political power in the country.
It is worth recalling that some people announced ten-day protests, which lasted from August 1 to 10.
The protests were peaceful in some states, while some regions of the country did not participate at all.
Afenifere noted that in some states, the protests turned violent, leading to the destruction and looting of properties. Lives were reportedly lost in some areas.
The organization also stated that, in addition to the violence, some so-called ‘protesters’ brazenly hoisted flags associated with Russia.
Afenifere pointed out that some claimed the insignia on the flags were those of the Nigerian army.
“Whether the flags belonged to Russia or the army, the message is more or less the same—inciting the takeover of government through unconstitutional means,” the statement reads.
Afenifere added that since the protest was ostensibly to push for an end to hunger and other deprivations in the land, “how come there was a turn toward either the military or a foreign power? It would be the height of self-delusion to assume that the intervention of either the military or a foreign power would automatically stop the hunger in the land.”
The organization noted that the states where the protests took a turn contrary to the ‘peaceful nature’ promised by the instigators included Edo, Rivers, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Borno, Kano, and Yobe.
It further explained that in some Northern states, not only were properties looted and destroyed, but there were also brazen calls for a coup.
Afenifere stated that while democracy might not yet provide us with the best we desire and deserve, “it is still the best in our current situation because of its inherent characteristic of making the people the custodians of political mandate. Its elastic nature allows various tendencies to operate—as long as they do so within the ambit of the law.
“This is a far cry from what is obtainable under a military government. So, let us give it a chance.”
The organization therefore called on Nigerians, especially youths, to be vigilant as some elements capitalized on the protests to advance personal causes. “These included the announcement of raising N4 billion as ‘donations for the protests’ on the fourth day of the street demonstrations, as reported by Sunday Punch on August 4, 2024.”
It stressed that, “we all want and do better under democracy. And so, we will continue to support democracy.”
