The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, has criticised the administration of Bola Tinubu, alleging that the country has deteriorated since he assumed office three years ago.
The group made its position known in a statement titled, “Tinubu’s Third Year Report: Summum Malum or Summum Bonum”, signed by its leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye.
According to Afenifere, the Tinubu administration has worsened poverty, unemployment and insecurity across the country.
“Afenifere is fearful of the current course of our democracy, and commiserates with Nigerian citizens following three years of the inauguration of this maladministration that has bred poverty, unemployment, mass killings and kidnappings, tampering with democratic federalism, subjugation of other arms of government, etc,” the statement read.
The organisation cited Chapter Two, Section 14 of the Nigerian Constitution, which states that the primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of citizens.
“Across the world, citizens are motivated by their governments either with Summum Malum – fear of Ultimate Evil – violent death, poverty, tyranny, or Summum Bonum – promise of Ultimate Good – homes, prosperity, security etc,” it added.
The group lamented that despite coming to power on the promise of renewed hope, the current administration had failed to improve the lives of Nigerians.
It further expressed hope that the country’s electoral system would “do the right thing” before the next inauguration day.
Afenifere also decried rising insecurity, corruption and economic stagnation, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of dragging the country backwards.
“The nightmare of ultimate evil has become a reality under the APC administration, with teachers being beheaded, children being kidnapped, and villages ransacked and displaced,” the statement said.
The organisation described the continued abduction of students and teachers and killings in states such as Kwara and Oyo as evidence of what it termed the government’s failure to restructure the country’s security architecture.
It argued that the creation of state and community police could help address the worsening insecurity situation.
Afenifere further alleged that comments by some APC members regarding the importation of terrorists to undermine former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 had raised serious concerns among Nigerians.
“Nigerians can’t help but question whether there is an unholy pact between the APC and terrorists following the admission by some APC stalwarts that they imported terrorists to embarrass President Jonathan out of office in 2015,” the statement added.
The group concluded with a scathing remark on the state of the nation’s democracy under the APC-led administration.
“Previously, we heard of politicians sleeping in coffins for political pacts with their godfathers; now our whole democracy is wearing coffin shoes under APC governance,” it stated.
