Afenifere condemns s'court verdict on presidential poll, says electoral reforms wasted

Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, has condemned the supreme court's verdict affirming President Bola Tinubu's victory in the February 25 election.

On October 26, the seven-member panel of the apex court in a unanimous decision dismissed the petitions of Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging Tinubu's victory.

Afenifere in a communique issued by Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the group, on Tuesday, said the electoral reforms achieved through agitations of Nigerians and the billions of naira spent in the conduct of the 2023 elections have been wasted by the judgement of the apex court.

"Afenifere viewed with dismay, the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which ratified the brigandage with respect to particularly the Presidential Election," the communique reads.

"Unfortunately, by the Supreme Court decision, the electoral reforms achieved through the agitations of Nigerians for quality control through technological devices and the billions of Naira spent on the infrastructures in that regard is now wasted.

"Afenifere observed the alarming resurgence of insecurity occasioned by the activities of armed cattle herders terrorising farmers, killing, maiming the people and raping women for which some of the host communities are no longer comfortable living with the killer guests.

"While Afenifere appreciates the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to live in any part of the country of his/her choice, it is important to stretch and ensure that such citizens live in peace with their hosts and respect their culture and economic prosperity.

"Afenifere reiterates our opposition to open grazing of animals and reaffirms preference for ranching as the world best practice of animal husbandry.

"No matter is better than now to consider that State Governments be allowed to play greater roles in the security of their states by establishing their internal policing mechanism."

The group also faulted the purchase of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) worth N160 million for lawmakers in the national assembly.

"Afenifere refuses to appreciate the calls for more sacrifices from Nigerians by the government which members continue to maintain obscene and ostentatious lifestyles," the group added.

"It is most preposterous that members of the National Assembly are approving for themselves vehicles worth N160 Million Naira because of the deplorable state of the Nigerian roads as if the responsibility to fix the said roads rests with the tax players.

"The Executive is unable to convince the people of the need for a yacht worth billions of Naira beyond ostentatious living.

"The costs of fuel rises prohibitively and the exchange of Naira climbing astronomically without any verifiable economic policy.

"Afenifere remains committed to the ideals and principles of True Federalism.

"We are proud of our decision and efforts on the 2023 Presidential Election and remain convinced that it was the right step towards a united, secured and prosperous Nigeria and its continued corporate existence."