Nigeria at 61: UK Afenifere backs restructuring, says separation not solution

Sequel to a communique by the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere at the end of a meeting held at the house of its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, Nigeria, on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, and coupled with Nigeria at 61 independent day celebration, the group in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe has said the only solution to the multifaceted problems in Nigeria is restructuring and not separation.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary of the group in the UK and Europe, Mr Anthony Ajayi, the group noted that restructuring(with regions controlling resources) remains the panacea to solve the many problems bedevilling Nigeria, adding that it should be done before the next general elections in 2023.

The group said they strongly stand by the Southern governors in their resolution on anti-open grazing laws, Value Added Tax (VAT) and for the South to produce the next president of Nigeria.

“We urge Southern state governors to further explore more areas to deepen democracy and enhance the frontier of true federalism in Nigeria.

“Since the Northern governors hold the belief that they are the majority in Nigeria, they should use their population advantage to develop their region and stop the malicious statement that the judgement of the Federal High Court on VAT is questionable.”

The group also said, “President Muhammadu Buhari’s address recently at the United Nations, especially where he called for the reform of the world body and his recommendation of dialogue to resolve Palestinian/Israeli issues, means he understands the importance of restructuring.

“So, we enjoined President Buhari to key into a restructuring that the Afenifere has been advocating as similar to the reform that he wants to see at the UN.”

The group further said, “It is baffled that the Northern governors did not meet to discuss ideas of how to improve life and add value to their states and people, rather they are meeting to discuss VAT, social media bill and presidency.

“They did not also meet to end banditry, nor did they meet to end terrorism, let alone talk of economic growth and how to foster development in the regions. But they come together to discuss how to retain power and threaten whoever holding a contrary view. And when you talk, they claim they have the numbers.

“So, the best option that is good for Nigeria is restructuring. It will pave way for competitive development among states and regions.”

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Nigeria at 61: UK Afenifere backs restructuring, says separation not solution

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