Afenifere and Arewa at Loggerheads Over President Buhari’s Independence Day Speech

The Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Sunday disagreed on President Muhammadu Buhari’s Independence Day’s broadcast.

According to Ynaija, The Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Sunday, disagreed on President Muhammadu Buhari’s Independence Day’s broadcast.

What Buhari said:

Irresponsible groups had hijacked the restructuring debate, decrying what he called the folly of irresponsible youth.

Reactions:

The ACF said the broadcast was timely, but Afenifere said the advocates of restructuring meant well for the country.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Muhammad Biu, said

“The President’s independence anniversary speech was timely and appropriate considering the issues raised. It was a scorecard of the Buhari administration on security, economy and corruption which was the hallmark of his campaign promises.”

“On the issue of restructuring, we totally support the position of the President which has been our position all along.”

“The ACF will support any restructuring that comes with clarity of purpose, just, fair and equitable to all sections of the country.”

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin said,

“The should separate those agitating for restructuring from those calling for a break-up of the country. I think he is confusing restructuring with break-up.

“Those calling for restructuring are those working to avert the breakup of Nigeria while those opposed to it are the ones working for the break-up of the country.

“Let the President deal with restructuring; if he does not listen to the agitations for restructuring, he is promoting those who are working for the break-up of the country.”