Afenifere Compels UN, World Institutions to Conduct referendum for Nigeria

Pan-Yoruba social group, Afenifere have called on the International community and United Nations to organize a referendum for Nigeria.

This they said while reacting to the 30-days ultimatum given to the Federal government of Nigeria, by Arewa groups, for establishment of nationwide RUGA settlements for Fulani herdsmen.

Describing the Arewa groups’ ultimatum as very insulting, provocative and annoying, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization said the Northern body was taking it too far.

It also wondered why the group was coming up with the ultimatum on a day the President had suspended the project.

Reacting, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin warned that the group was craving for war.

He said: “We have read the very insulting, provocative and annoying statement issued by the Coalition of Northern Groups. We ordinarily would have rebuffed them but for the fact that we know for sure that they are dancing to the tune of the drummer, there is a drummer under the river. They are insulting the sensibility of other Nigerians even when Nigerians have suffered in the hands of herdsmen in the last four years. The herdsmen have killed thousands of people, yet they (Coalition of Northern Groups) claim that it is the herdsmen that are being killed. Where are the dead bodies? Where are the burial grounds of those herdsmen that were killed?

“Their ultimatum shows that they are taking it too far. They have the audacity to abuse and insult us. At this stage, it shows that they are craving for war and we call on the international community and United Nations to organize a referendum for Nigeria so that all the component units in Nigeria can come up with a position on the future of Nigeria.

“If they have come to a conclusion that it is no longer possible to live together, let everybody go on their way in peace. But if it is possible to live together, it must be on the basis of true federalism. That is our stand.”

He added: “Why is it that it is on the day that the Ruga project was suspended by the President that these people (Coalition of Northern Groups) are now coming up with this statement? So, their agenda is clear. They are playing games with us and with the future of Nigeria.”