Afenifere Slams Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration: A Blow To Nigeria’s Democracy

Afenifere Takes Aim at Tinubu and the National Assembly

Listen up, folks: Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, isn’t holding back. They’ve fired a strong critique at the National Assembly for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. According to Afenifere, this move isn’t just a political misstep—it’s a glaring disregard for the 1999 Constitution. The lawmakers, they argue, are failing to stand up for the democratic rights of Nigerians, and that’s a problem that can’t be ignored.

Now, here’s the kicker: Afenifere isn’t just blowing smoke. In a communique issued after their National Caucus meeting at the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s residence in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, they laid it all out. This wasn’t just a casual chat; it was a serious discussion about the state of Nigerian democracy. The communique was signed by none other than Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the group’s Leader, and Prince Justice Faloye, the National Publicity Secretary.

The Constitutional Integrity at Stake

Let’s break it down. Afenifere believes that Tinubu’s move, along with the National Assembly’s support, is like a storm cloud looming over Nigeria’s constitutional integrity. They’re saying this isn’t just about Rivers State—it’s about the bigger picture. When the National Assembly doesn’t uphold the constitution, it sends a dangerous message. And let’s not forget, the constitution is the backbone of our democracy.

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Here’s something else to chew on: Afenifere pointed out that the 1999 Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote from both chambers of the National Assembly for any matter of national importance, like declaring a state of emergency. But instead of following the rules, they used voice votes. That’s like trying to bake a cake without following the recipe—it might look okay on the surface, but underneath, it’s a mess.

The Courage to Stand Up

According to Afenifere, the 10th Assembly has shown a lack of courage in defending the rights of Nigerians. Instead of standing up for what’s right, they’ve rolled over and played along. It’s like watching a basketball game where the referees aren’t calling the fouls. The players can do whatever they want, and the game suffers because of it. That’s exactly what Afenifere sees happening in Nigeria’s political arena.

And let’s talk about those oaths of office. Afenifere doesn’t mince words when they say the National Assembly is violating these oaths left and right. They’re calling for the current leadership to step aside—not out of spite, but in the interest of decency, integrity, and respect for the separation of powers. This isn’t just about politics; it’s about principles. If we don’t uphold them, what are we left with?

The Senate’s Trust Crisis

Afenifere also took aim at the recent vote of confidence for the Senate President. They see it as a clear sign of a trust crisis within the Senate. Imagine a team where the captain is questioned by the players—how effective can that team be? It’s the same with the Senate. When the public questions the Senate President’s leadership and he still presides over votes, it deepens the perception of dysfunction. It’s a slippery slope, folks, and Afenifere is ringing the alarm bells.

History Repeats Itself?

Here’s where it gets really serious. Afenifere warns that if we don’t address this constitutional crisis, we could end up with undemocratic practices. They even brought up Hitler and how he manipulated Germany’s democratic systems. Now, that’s a heavy comparison, but it’s one that drives the point home. If we’re not careful, history could repeat itself in ways we don’t want to see.

They’re especially concerned about the executive branch consolidating too much power. It’s like having one person control all the levers in a machine. Sure, it might seem efficient, but what happens when that one person makes the wrong move? The entire system could collapse. That’s why federalism and separation of powers are so important—they keep things balanced.

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Time for Action

In conclusion, Afenifere is urging Nigerians to wake up and take action. We can’t sit back and watch as the rule of law erodes. This isn’t just about politics; it’s about protecting the freedoms we’ve fought so hard for. As Afenifere put it, “We must nip this in the bud before our hard-won democracy is destroyed.” It’s a powerful statement, and one that we all need to take to heart.

So, what’s the takeaway here? It’s simple: we have to be vigilant. We have to hold our leaders accountable. And most importantly, we have to stand up for what’s right. Because if we don’t, who will?