February 9, 2015 – The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere Renewal group, has described as untenable the reasons advanced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for shifting election date to March 28 and April 11.
In a statement, Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr. Kunle Famoriyo said the defence and security institutions have not convinced Nigerians that they have the capability to curb the Boko Haram insurgency and that it remains to be seen if they now possess new tactics and intelligence on how to curb the six-year menace in six weeks.
“Indeed, the events of the past few weeks lend credence to a pervasive public opinion that INEC was coerced into its adopted position. Nigerians were not particularly surprised at the postponement and many actually saw it coming.
“There is no doubt an “executive coercion” whose design and intent can only be to subjugate Nigeria’s premier democratic institution, and until the security chiefs are able to advance believable reasons and demonstrate renewed commitment to their constitutional duty, Nigerians will remain suspicious of a premeditated plan to subvert democratic process”, the pan Yoruba social political organisation has said.
According to Afenifere, the public perception that the defence institutions are being used to forcefully gain partisan ambition is widening and that the current federal administration, as usual, appears not to give a damn.
“ In fact, security chiefs are helping to reinforce this perception, in the light of recent revelation on Ekiti gubernatorial election, and it can only lead to truncation of democracy.
“To worsen an already bad case, so much sacrifice is being demanded from Nigerians without commensurate sacrifice from the leadership cadre as if Nigerians signed a master-slave contract with their leaders.
It noted that Yoruba Nation is not blind to the grave implications posed by the current pursuit of invidious personal agenda to the detriment of collective goodwill.
“Toying with issues that should be sacrosanct in a democratic process is a shove that will soon turn to push and the Yoruba Nation will carefully consider its options for a desired peaceful and prosperous state.
“We wish to warn those hell bent on scuttling our democracy to learn from history because, like they did in 2010 against the infamy known as “the cabal”, Nigerians will continue to resist dictatorial agenda of a few who seek to hold the nation hostage”, the group said.
