Afenifere Criticizes Tinubu Administration, Distances Group from Presidency
By Omowumi Omotosho
Pan Yoruba socio-polical organisation, Afenifere, on Tuesday expressed strong disapproval of the current state of social and economic situation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
At a general meeting held at the residence of the organisation’s leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Isanya-Ogbo, Ogun State, Afenifere addressed issues of widespread hardship, insecurity, and rising poverty in the country.
In a communique released after the meeting, the group highlighted what it described as “pervasive hardship, unflagging insecurity, and incapacitating hunger” affecting the nation. The organization voiced concern over the government’s apparent lack of empathy toward citizens’ struggles and criticized ongoing policies, such as continuous fuel price hikes, which it claimed were worsening the populace’s plight. Afenifere condemned what it saw as the government’s “cavalier conduct of state affairs,” noting a lack of “coherent or unequivocal programme” for national development.
The communique also referenced a recent article in Vanguard by Dr. Ugoji Egbujo titled “Is Tinubu Settling Scores?”, which linked President Tinubu to Afenifere by virtue of his Yoruba heritage. The group responded forcefully to this characterization, asserting that Tinubu “is not Afenifere.” The communique stated, “He masqueraded as one in 1999 and since 2003 has done everything in his power to divide and neutralize Afenifere in politics.”
Afenifere further rebuked Dr. Egbujo’s attempt to associate Tinubu with the organization, saying, “Just as he is tagging Tinubu as Afenifere, he is also saying ‘don’t blame the Yoruba.'” The group noted historical instances where other ethnic groups, such as Igbos under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, faced internal ethnic politics but did not automatically assume the ethnic group represented the administration’s actions. Afenifere argued that Jonathan’s perceived ethnic biases ultimately hurt his support base and contributed to his loss in the 2015 election.
Reflecting on previous administrations, Afenifere noted that the same ethnic-focused political agenda has appeared throughout Nigerian history, including during former President Buhari’s government, which was marked by what it called “lopsided appointments” that reflected ethnic biases. According to the communique, such centralization of power fueled the “National Question debate” on how best to structure Nigeria’s federation—a debate that Afenifere argued could be answered only by restoring the country to a “more devolved federation.”
The communique underscored Afenifere’s longstanding commitment to national equity and a more balanced federal structure, calling on Dr. Egbujo to join “the struggle to create a more balanced federation.” Afenifere presented itself as a group rooted in supporting all minority groups’ rights to regional autonomy, saying, “Afenifere remains the conscience of the nation and the refuge of the oppressed and marginalized.”
Afenifere reminded the public of its legacy of advocating for justice, highlighting its historical support for democratic principles and minority rights, such as the fight against former military governments and its role in the 1993 presidential election annulment. “Afenifere as an integral part of NADECO bore the brunt of Abacha’s despotic crackdown on democratic forces,” the communique recalled, emphasizing that the group has consistently opposed ethnic favoritism in government.
The communique ended by reaffirming Afenifere’s foundational values: “Afenifere belief is anchored on building an egalitarian society, focused on providing the greatest good to the greatest number of citizens.” In a pointed statement, it declared, “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.”