Elder statesman and leader of the pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has accused the Buhari government of bringing shame on the country by proving why he is seen as a dictator in a democracy, instead of doing something to redeem his image.
Adebanjo who made the statement when featured on Arise TV interview programme, said everything the Buhari government does, is anti-democratic, and proves why people like him should not be trusted with power.
He wondered why it is difficult for Buhari to understand the difference between people expressing their displeasure with his government and exercising their legitimate rights, and those firing down military jets, kidnappers, killer herdsmen, and Boko Haram.
He said the fact that the Buhari administration continues to release terrorists, couldn't trace bandits or even fight those who spoilt Sallah Celebration for Muslims in the country, but is capable of going full force against Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, proves why agitations exist, and why they won't end as long as he remains in power.
Speaking on why he insists that attack on Igboho is a declaration of war against the Yoruba, he said, "The Department of State Security Services is just behaving like a department under a dictatorship. What is his offence? You put it bluntly: he is calling for secession; no more, no less. He has been holding meetings in Akure, in Osogbo and other places without any damage done to anybody.
"What is criminal in what he has done, except we are in Nigeria under Buhari’s dictatorship? It is unfortunate. In the First Republic, (Tafawa) Balewa accused myself and Chief Obafemi Awolowo of treasonable felony.
"We were in Ghana; we stayed there and there was the meeting of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) that was held in Ghana. Balewa insisted that he wouldn’t come there because I, S.G. Ikoku and others were in Ghana. Nkruma did not repatriate us because of that. What did he do? He sent us abroad to Russia and other places, while that conference was taking place. He didn’t break the diplomatic relation. He didn’t return us because he wanted the conference to be held there.
"That is what is done in a democracy. And when we accuse this man of being a dictator, people say we are just labelling him. Everything he does, his parliament, his party is anti-democracy. Look at the bills they are now passing in parliament inhibiting free elections and they are taking pride in that. It is unfortunate for a person like me who fought for independence; who struggled under British colonialism.
"We will resist Fulani domination under any pretence. Why should you be harassing the man? You went to his house at midnight. What for? Because he is calling for secession? My dear, it is an unusual trend and they are only disgracing this country by this action because all the democratic world knows that all these things are not done in a democracy. It is a sad thing for me.
"The passion others may have may be different from my own. Those, who are talking about when the military imposed the current constitution on us under which Buhari is doing anything under the sun…. He is the most powerful president in the whole world because of an imposed constitution that people didn’t have a hand in.
"I have been saying it is a fraudulent constitution. And I gave my reasons and they have not refuted that; all the things that are causing secession, disharmony in the country are because of the constitution imposed by the military in 1966. It is not the agreement we had at independence. And what are the issues?
"There is discrimination; there is oppression; there was lack of progress due to the fact you concentrated power in the centre under this constitution and we now said, ok, if you are now saying you are going back to the barracks, let’s have the constitution we had at independence.
"They have not said this constitution is legitimate. We disputed every line of action in their case. They have not refuted it; they are only using power. The man is chasing Igboho all around; he is chasing Nnamdi Kanu, but he is negotiating with robbers, with bandits, who are making security unstable. Even people could not celebrate Sallah because of insecurity.
"The prices of everything are going up because of insecurity. He is not capable to tackle the issues. DSS are not showing competence to trace where these bandits are. But when it comes to opposition, who are asking for legitimate rights, they are very active. What a shame!" he added.