The National Leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has called on Nigerian leaders and citizens to revisit the foundational principles of federalism as outlined in the 1963 Constitution, describing it as the most effective framework for fostering national unity and sustainable development.
In a statement released on Wednesday to commemorate Democracy Day, Fasoranti urged the country to adopt the 1963 Republican Constitution, which, he said, promotes true federalism by granting Nigeria’s diverse regions a degree of autonomy to govern themselves in line with their unique cultural and socio-economic realities.
“To ensure an enduring framework for unity and progress in the country, federalism enables the constituent parts of the country to exercise some level of autonomy or self-determination as obtained in the First Republic,” Fasoranti stated.
He criticised Nigeria’s current centralised system of governance, describing it as inadequate for addressing the country’s complex and diverse needs.
He argued that a return to true federalism would not only encourage equitable development across regions but also reduce inter-regional tensions.
While celebrating the milestone of uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999, the elder statesman emphasised the need for urgent structural reforms to consolidate democratic governance.
He paid tribute to pro-democracy activists and civil society groups who fought tirelessly for the restoration of civil rule in the 1990s.
“Without doubt, the sustained and uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999 is a product of the sacrifices and commitment of our heroes and heroines in the civil society groups, and other well-meaning compatriots, who, along with Afenifere, coalesced into the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to constitute the vanguard of progressive forces that ensured the restoration of democracy and the birth of the Fourth Republic,” Fasoranti noted.
Expressing concern over the continued insecurity affecting many parts of Nigeria, Fasoranti stated that violent non-state actors remain a major threat to citizens’ safety.
To address this challenge, he advocated the immediate establishment of State Police and Community Policing, which he described as practical and urgently needed solutions.
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“We, in Afenifere, share the view of many other patriotic Nigerians that establishing State Police and checking internal collaborators appears to be the panacea for this scourge that tends to make living or travelling in certain parts of the country a nightmare,” he said.
Fasoranti urged both federal and state governments to prioritise the implementation of these security measures, arguing that localised policing would enhance public safety and restore trust in the security architecture.
He concluded by reminding Nigerians of the deeper meaning of Democracy Day and called on all citizens to transcend divisions and work collectively towards a more united and prosperous nation.
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“The progressive spirit that birthed our democracy must continue to guide and nurture it. June 12 represents more than a date it is a symbol of our shared resolve to uphold justice, liberty and the will of the people,” he said.
