Hardship: Don’t participate in protests, Afenifere begs Yorubas

A pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has begged the Yoruba people not to participate in the protests breaking out from some parts of the country over the current economic hardship.

The Yoruba people are indigenes of the six southwestern states of the country which include Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti and Oyo.

Although, residents of the Yoruba-identified states and others including Kano, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto and Osun states have also staged protests to express their displeasure on the rising cost of living.

However, the chairman of the organisation’s elders caucus, Reuben Fasoranti, on Sunday while acknowledging the hardship faced by the people said that Nigerians have to be understanding of the current situation.

According to him, the economic measures taken by the Federal Government, though difficult, are aimed at bringing prosperity to the country at large.

The statement read in parts, “As a responsible leader, I appeal to every Yoruba man and woman, young and old, and our fellow citizens across the nationalities, to exercise patience and refrain from engaging in protests or actions that may escalate tensions.

“The outcry over the hardship, hunger, and price hikes is not unexpected. However, we must come to terms with the realities of our national challenges, which the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is striving to resolve.

“While acknowledging the hardships faced by our people, it is important to recognise that these economic measures, although difficult, are part of a larger strategy aimed at restoring economic prosperity and stability to Nigeria.

“The government’s commitment to implementing these measures is a testament to its dedication to addressing the root causes of our economic challenges, inherited from the ills of the previous years,” he added. Punch