Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere has asked President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, forthwith.
The group says Kanu’s continued detention is unjust and calls for immediate action from the presidency.
Afenifere made this demand in a communiqué issued after a meeting held at the Isanya Ogbo residence of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.
The statement signed by the group’s Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, described Kanu as a political detainee whose case has been full of inconsistencies and controversies.
Afenifere says Kanu’s abduction in 2021 and his extradition to Nigeria has raised issues of due process.
The group argues that the case against him has been full of contradictions and a fair trial is impossible in the eyes of any reasonable person. So keeping Kanu in detention without trial is indefensible.
For the sake of justice and national unity, the group asked President Tinubu to release IPOB leader without further delay.
The communiqué says prolonged detention without trial only deepens divisions and erodes confidence in the judiciary.
Insecurity
Apart from Kanu’s case, Afenifere also expressed worry over Nigeria’s security situation, saying the situation is still bad despite change of government.
The group said a more effective security architecture is needed, saying the country cannot be secured under the current unitary police system.
Citing Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s recent alert on bandits’ influx, Afenifere reiterates its long standing demand for restructuring.
The group says Nigeria’s size and diversity makes a decentralized security structure necessary. It says establishing state police is the only solution to real protection for citizens across the regions.
Afenifere asked President Tinubu to take bold and ideological steps to address insecurity, saying change cannot be meaningful without a departure from the centralised policing system.
The group says restructuring is no longer a political debate but a necessity for the country’s survival.
At the meeting, Afenifere also announced the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as its new National Organising Secretary. This is part of the group’s efforts to strengthen its leadership and advocacy for national development.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan and had in attendance delegates from the six South-West states and Kogi and Kwara. Notable figures present were former Lagos Deputy Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; Secretary General, Chief Sola Ebiseni; Chief Akin Osuntokun; Professor Akin Onigbinde; Elder Tola Mobolurin; Dr. Gbola Adetuji; Olorogun Pop Ayo-Banjo and the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye.
Afenifere’s demand for justice and security reform is for national stability and fairness. Now the question is, will the Tinubu administration listen?