The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, has declared its support for the planned nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu on August 1.
Although Afenifere will not participate in the protest, its Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, emphasized the group’s backing of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians to demonstrate peacefully.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Faloye warned against violence during the protest. He criticized the government’s economic policies and called for significant economic and political restructuring.
Faloye stated, “Afenifere is not planning to be part of the protest but we support the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, however, we have been warning against the hardship. You can’t tell a hungry man not to wait.
“Afenifere has been saying we need economic and political restructuring of this country; but all we have is palliative, which are superficial moves.
“We acknowledge their rights, we saw this, but you, the government, don’t want to take responsibility for your economic policies. Tinubu imposed the 10 days of rage on himself due to his policies. It’s not that we support the protest, but we understand that it’s an organic reaction.
“We support anybody who wants to support the protest against government policies, which we understand are anti-people,” he added.