A leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has accused top Yoruba politicians in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of maintaining a conspiracy of silence while the South West geopolitical zone is allegedly being ravaged by militant herdsmen.
The 91-year-old Adebanjo identified Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande as the greatest culprits.
According to him, kidnappings and other violent crimes were being perpetrated in the region by the militant herdsmen but prominent Yoruba sons in the ruling party have chosen to keep quiet.
Adebanjo stated this in an interview published by Sunday Sun.
Reacting to a question on kidnappings and banditry in the region, the nonagenarian said:
“We have said it earlier when they were doing all inequities in the Middle Belt. When they killed Christians in Southern Kaduna, didn’t we shout? When they struck in Benue and Buhari sent the Inspector General of Police there and he didn’t know whether he went there or not until the public compelled him to sack the man. He is the one condoling incompetence. Now again, we thought that he would change the army officers, but he didn’t. Instead of changing them, he is now renewing their office as a reward of their inefficiency. It is an unfortunate thing for us. And that is why it is very important for the states to have their own police, as a component part of restructuring. But he doesn’t want to restructure and he is showing incompetence. With all the kidnapping that is taking place in the Southwest, he has not uttered a word on it. God is in control, he will deliver us from the tyranny of the administration. The greatest shame is the Yoruba element in APC. Vice President, Tinubu, Akande and others have sold out for their own interests. And god of Oduduwa will give judgment on them. They see Yoruba being slaughtered and yet they can’t raise a word and they are claiming to be representing us. They will come and tell you that restructuring is not as important as fixing the economy. You fix up economy for people already in the grave. I want them to come and arrest me for fake news, if all that have been saying are fake news because anything against the government is treated as treasonable felony. Is it not strange that not a word has come out of the president about all that is happening in the Southwest? Is it not strange that the security operatives have not got the culprits arrested since the location of kidnapping is known?”
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