*asks international community to prevail on Nigeria, Benin Republic govts to release him
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Pan Yoruba Socio political organisation Afenifere on Tuesday declared the Yoruba nation agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho as a Prisoner of Conscience
Afenifere in a communique issued at the end of its first annual general meeting held at the country home of the Acting Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, also insisted that restructuring of Nigeria before the 2023 general elections is achievable.
In the communique made available to newsmen in Ibadan, Afenifere noted that ” restructuring of Nigeria is achievable through the adoption of the Reports of the 2014 National Conference and the 2018 Mallam El-Rufai Committee of the APC on True Federalism with desirable modifications where necessary” .
The Pan Yoruba Socio political organisation stressed the meeting considered Sunday Adeyemo Igboho as a Prisoner of Conscience and that the international community to which human rights and freedom are abiding faith, should prevail on the Governments of Nigeria and Benin Republic to release Sunday Igboho forthwith.
It maintained , ” not only that, the federal government should also pay Sunday Igboho the damages awarded to him by the court upon the savage attack on his person and property”, adding, ” the meeting also called on the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu even if on Political consideration as happened in the case of Asari Dokubo under the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
” Afenifere is convinced that Restructuring of the Nigerian State before the 2023 general elections is achievable. It is achievable through the adoption of the Reports of the 2014 National Conference and the 2018 Mallam El-Rufai Committee of the APC on True Federalism with desirable modifications where necessary”, it said
Afenifere added, ” before and after independence, various efforts have been made to have a country, Nigeria, that everyone would be proud of. A country in which every one lives a happy life and there is life more abundant for all.Afenifere however has no doubt whatsoever that the country can never get out of its present logjam, let alone, develop, unless there is restructuring”.
” The meeting felt that one of the things that has been a great cog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress today was the rubishing of true federalism. Meaning that true federalism must be allowed to be effectively operational immediately. In other words, States and local government councils must be allowed to enjoy self governance as provided for them in the constitution”.
Concerning the insecurity in Nigeria, Afenifere urged the President Muhammadu Buhari led government “to ensure the introduction of State Police equipped with requisite means to enhance security in the states and that of the federation ultimately”.
Afenifere pointed out that the performance of Amotekun Security Network in the South West in conjunction with the Nigerian Police has shown clearly that all the criticisms against State Police are unfounded and self serving.
