AFENIFERE, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resist any attempt to change government through non-democratic means in Nigeria.
The group made the call in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, on Wednesday, February 15.
Afenifere expressed concern over recent allegations made by Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, claiming that some elements within the presidency were scheming to install an interim government on Nigerians by contriving an atmosphere that would make free and fair elections impossible.
During his interview on Arise TV, the governor had stated that the lingering fuel and naira scarcity were being used to frustrate the conduct of the elections because their preferred candidate was not in the race.
He also reiterated this position in an interview with Premium Times on February 13, 2023.
Reacting to the development, Afenifere tasked the President to resist any temptation or pressure to foist on Nigeria any form of change of government that is not a product of democratic practice.
The association stressed that any change of government must come through democratic means as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.
The statement further noted that the call was made because of the sacrifices many Nigerians, including Afenifere, had made to ensure civil rule in the country.
It also acknowledged Nigeria’s progress with 24 years of civil rule and six transitions between civilian administrations since 1999.
Afenifere reiterated that anything that could prompt the change of government through any other means was unacceptable.
Nigeria has a long history of military coups and undemocratic government changes.
After years of military rule, Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999.
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