The pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has lampooned the Federal Government for scuttling the Yoruba Nation rally saying it is muzzling freedom of expression in the country.

Reacting to the botched rally, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Jare Ajayi said: “Afenifere believes that in a democratic setting, the citizens have a right to protestant express their opinion peacefully as long as it is done within the law. For that reason, what Ilana Omo Oodua and those who organised the rally in Lagos have done is still within the legal permit of the country.

“Just as our leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo said recently, we are a law abiding organisation and we represent the citizens. Since the government of Lagos State has given an order that such a rally is suspended, we feel that the rally should have been suspended but not because the government is right.

“This is just to show that we are law-abiding. This present government, particularly at the federal level is muzzling freedom of expression, freedom of association and trying to suppress any organisation, body or voice that it feels is against its policies.

“We are sure that if the Lagos rally was done in support of President Muhammadu Buhari, it is not likely to be stopped. In any case, the rally was not meant to be against this administration, it was planned to be an avenue to advocate or solicit for Yoruba Nation.

“Afenifere is a federalist and we maintain that and we believe that people clamouring for secession have a right to clamour as long as it is done within the law and as long as they do not employ violence. We see no reason why government should stop them.

“All the government ought to have done is to watch them and ensure the rally is not hijacked. We believe that with the way it is conducting itself, it is attracting opposition and unnecessary criticism to itself. We feel that government should change its ways in this regard,” the group stated.

(Vanguard)

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