Jare Ajayi: Politicians Dampening Morale of those that fought for Democracy in NADECO Days

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been closely criticised over the conduct of the lately concluded normal elections. Continue Reading…

However Comrade Jare Ajayi, a public affairs analyst and the lately suspended Nationwide Publicity Secretary of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has expressed optimism in the way forward for Nigerian nation.

He stated democracy has come to remain, noting that that is the longest interval now we have had civil rule since Nigeria gained independence in 1960.

On this interview with YEMI ADEBISI, the writer of Forest’s Revolt, Ajayi, speaks about politicians which are working down the nation’s picture due to election outcomes, his suspension and different nationwide discourse. Excerpt: 

 With the continued uproar after the overall elections, what’s your stand on democracy in Nigeria? 

Despite the ‘uproar after the overall elections’, to cite you, I consider that democracy, for the second a minimum of, is one of the best for Nigeria.

It’s heartwarming that civil rule and common elections – that are necessary fulcrums of democracy – are gaining grounds within the nation. A pointer to this may be seen in the truth that that is the longest interval that now we have had civilian authorities for the reason that nation gained independence in 1960. This 12 months marks 23 years of civil rule.

It had not at all times been so. We consider and hope that democracy has come to remain within the nation by the grace of God. Politicians and different stakeholders ought to work at making it everlasting. 

It’s disheartening that many Nigerians gave some individuals on the market the prospect to run down the nation on the idea of the simply concluded 2023 normal elections, particularly the presidential election. It’s maybe pure for losers in any competitors or election to really feel dangerous. However within the try to precise their displeasure, politicians and their supporters ought to train restraint. Those that lose as we speak might win tomorrow.

Equally importantly, the hope isn’t completely misplaced even now as they’ll proceed to the courts to hunt redress the place they’ve misgivings in regards to the final result of the elections. Certainly, a few of them have already gone to court docket. 

I believe it’s extra honourable and dignifying to attend for the end result of authorized proceedings somewhat than portray a foul picture of the nation on dropping elections. I shouldn’t be misunderstood. For, I’m not saying that the elections have been error-free. What I’m saying is that the aggrieved ought to pursue the authorized angle somewhat than proclaiming nearly endlessly that the elections have been ‘shameful’. Going by stories from different climes, elections outdoors Nigeria too do have their very own challenges. Residents in these nations don’t interact in damaging remarks about their nation due to the ‘imperfect’ elections. 

America, which prides itself as a bastion of democracy on the earth not too long ago skilled its personal dose of electoral stress, no due to its fast previous President, Mr. Donald Trump. It’s on report that despite his protestations, together with that of his supporters, the nation is forging forward. We must always attempt in the direction of making our nation to have the ability to climate any of such storms. 

It’s gratifying that some main contenders have gone to court docket. They’re inspired to pursue that line to its logical conclusion. Whereas doing so, they need to rein-in their supporters in order that the polity doesn’t proceed to be heated and social cohesion imperiled. Ok, President Muhammadu Buhari stored expressing his want at hand over energy on Might 29, 2023 as stipulated by regulation. He even simply reiterated that there is no such thing as a various to democracy. 

You have got simply been suspended because the Nationwide Publicity Secretary of Afenifere. However you claimed that the choice has political undertone. Are you able to throw extra gentle on this? 

The choice to ‘droop’ me and my colleague, Abagun Kole Omololu, the Nationwide Organising Secretary, was political as clearly acknowledged in my response on the day that the suspension was introduced. 

We have been by no means issued a question not to mention be requested to face any disciplinary committee. We have been by no means knowledgeable of what was considered ‘uncouth exercise’ that might warrant such a step nor have been we giving any alternative to answer no matter allegations they’d in opposition to us. I stated that it was political as a result of it was hinged on the aftermath of the simply concluded election. 

Observe, nevertheless, that each the Nationwide Organising Secretary and I are in our responsibility posts as The Chief has acknowledged that we didn’t do (or say) something that might warrant such an motion in opposition to us. 

There have been rumours that some chieftains of Afenifere are utilizing the group to cowl up, working for some political bigots. Is it true? 

I have no idea about ‘political bigots’. I don’t assume that it’s honest to make use of such a phrase for the political gladiators. However to reply your query, I don’t perceive what you imply by ‘utilizing the group to cowl up’. Our leaders didn’t fake about the place they stand relating to some candidates within the presidential election. Pa Ayo Adebanjo, our revered chief, constantly stated that he’s for Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Celebration. It is usually a standard data that The Chief, Pa Reuben Fasoranti overtly endorsed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress. So the query of ‘cowl up’ doesn’t come up in any respect. 

Some individuals additionally stated {that a} faction of Afenifere are clamouring for the emancipation of interim authorities. What’s your tackle this? 

I’m not conscious of any Afenifere one who is clamouring for an interim authorities. 

Do you agree that in some states, the 2023 normal elections have been rigged? 

I have no idea about this both. I did my election remark in Oke ogun space of Oyo State. The place I operated, there was no election rigging to one of the best of my data. Celebration brokers and the safety officers got copies of election outcomes. The elections have been easy. After all, I later was listening to and studying about some incidents in another locations. However since I used to be not there, I can not say that I agree or I disagree that ‘the 2023 normal elections have been rigged’. 

It seems the Nigerian youths, for the primary time, participated extra actively on this 12 months’s elections. What do you assume is liable for this? 

Mobilization and better consciousness have been accountable. The dissatisfaction with the scenario within the nation additionally aroused many individuals, notably youths to return out in good quantity to precise themselves by means of their votes. Info from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has it that youths of age 18 to 34 characterize 39.65 per cent of registered voters. They’re 37,060,399 in quantity. 

Registered voters who’re of their middle-ages (35-49 years) are 33,413,591 i.e. 35.75% of the entire registrants which INEC put at 93,469,008. 

As we all know, nevertheless, not all of the registered voters finally got here out to vote. However varied political, social and financial situations within the nation propelled many who correctly wouldn’t have voted to return out and vote. 

As a entrance runner in Nigeria’s political activism for the reason that days of NADECO, do you assume it’s dividends rely on practitioners on this period of cash politics? 

There isn’t any doubt that la lot of politicians are dampening the morale of those that valiantly struggled throughout the NADECO days to have democracy institutionalized within the nation. However there is no such thing as a remorse for the efforts made then. For, have been these efforts not made, we’d not even be the place we’re as we speak when it comes to being on democratic pathway. 

There are speculations that the petrol worth shall be N750 per litre if the federal government removes subsidy. What’s your recommendation for the federal government and the residents? 

There isn’t any cause in any respect for petrol to achieve the benchmark of N200 or N300 to not speak of N750. Every part that may be accomplished to peg the value have to be accomplished. The NNPC should get up. Importation of the commodity could be liberalised whereas critical effort is made to convey the comatose refineries to life. 

Certainly, it’s on report that the Federal authorities way back to 2021 promised that Port Harcourt Refinery will begin manufacturing by this 12 months April on the newest. We’re in April now; we’re not having clear indication that this promise shall be fulfilled. It is crucial for this administration to make sure that the stated refinery resume productive operation earlier than its tenure ends subsequent month. 

Critical efforts have to be made by the incoming administration to make sure that the remaining three refineries start manufacturing throughout the first 12 months of its being in energy. Extra can be constructed.  Continue Reading…