A faction of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, aligned with the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has expressed grave concern over what it describes as the “de-structuring” of Nigeria’s federal system under President Bola Tinubu. The group also accused the administration of eroding democratic freedoms and undermining the core principles of federalism.
In a joint statement signed by its leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, the group voiced alarm at what it called “the audacity and pace” at which the Tinubu government is dismantling the foundational structures of the Nigerian federation.
“This administration is launching an autocratic assault on the essential pillars of democratic federalism,” the statement read. “Rather than pursuing the long-demanded restructuring, the government appears committed to weakening the very framework of our union.”
Afenifere cited the increasing centralisation of power as evidence, pointing to what it described as the “blatant usurpation of authority from the federating units, the judiciary, and the legislature.” The group warned that the ongoing suppression of civil liberties, deteriorating security, and deepening economic hardship could push the country to the brink. “How much more can the federation withstand before it collapses under the weight of these systemic failures?” the group asked.
The organisation also decried recent attacks on free speech, singling out the ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s song Tell Your Papa, which was reportedly a response to controversial remarks made by Seyi Tinubu. “This suppression of artistic and political expression reflects a growing intolerance for dissent,” Afenifere said. “The banning of Tell Your Papa is a worrying sign of an administration increasingly detached from the lived realities of Nigerians, and it risks silencing creative voices critical to our national discourse.”
On the issue of security, Afenifere cited disturbing figures from HumAngle’s Conflict Tracker, which reported 1,420 killings and more than 537 kidnappings in the first quarter of 2025 alone. The group described the situation as dire, attributing much of the instability to economic hardship and government policies that fail to address root causes.
Reiterating its call for the creation of state police, the group said the renewed violence from Fulani herdsmen and bandits highlights the urgent need for security sector reform. “To address these conflicts effectively, the government must confront the root issue of open grazing and embrace ranching as a safer, more sustainable alternative,” it stated.
Afenifere argued that the centralised policing structure is incapable of responding to Nigeria’s diverse and complex security challenges. “All sound management principles indicate that a single, centralised police force cannot meet the security needs of a nation as vast and heterogeneous as Nigeria,” the statement said.
The group also accused the federal government of opposing state policing for political reasons, warning that this resistance could further threaten national unity. “The continued reluctance to embrace necessary reforms like state policing may deepen existing divides and undermine the cohesion required to move the country forward.”
