The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has restated its demand for the urgent restructuring of Nigeria and the creation of State Police, as it reviewed the country’s economic and security situation.
At its caucus meeting held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Akure home of its Leader, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, OFR, CFR, the group declared that the nation could no longer afford to delay far-reaching reforms.
Presided over by Oba Olu Falae, CFR, GCON, Chairman of the Executive Committee, the meeting resolved that only true restructuring could address Nigeria’s lingering structural imbalances. Afenifere urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately transmit a bill on restructuring to the National Assembly for legislative action.
The organisation also reiterated its longstanding push for the establishment of State Police, stressing that decentralised policing would bring security management closer to the grassroots and ensure community-led responses to crime.
Referencing the suggestion of the National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, Afenifere insisted that local communities must be empowered with resources and autonomy to protect themselves. It further called for the deployment of modern technologies including drones and CCTV cameras, as well as better welfare for security operatives.
In addition, it demanded the removal of bottlenecks hindering the enforcement of Anti-Open Grazing Laws already passed by South-West assemblies, while urging collaboration between governments and private investors to establish ranches as alternatives to open grazing.
On the economy, the group acknowledged that some Federal Government policies were beginning to yield visible results, but stressed the need for more deliberate efforts to achieve sustainable recovery.
Turning to infrastructure, Afenifere commended ongoing projects across the country but demanded the swift reconstruction of critical highways in the South-West such as Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa–Akure Road, Ibadan–Oyo–Ogbomoso–Ilorin Road, Ibadan–Ijebu-Ode Road, and Ibadan–Abeokuta Road. Contractors mobilised but yet to start work were warned to move to site immediately, while those on ground were asked to hasten execution.
The meeting also charged community leaders, politicians, and citizens to expose saboteurs who collude with criminal elements, noting that security must rest on justice and fairness, with no group allowed to endanger another in their ancestral homeland.
The highlight of the gathering was a congratulatory message to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on his ascension as the Olubadan of Ibadanland. Afenifere prayed for his reign to be peaceful and impactful, bringing unity and growth to Yorubaland.
Earlier, Pa Reuben Fasoranti had declared the meeting open before deliberations commenced.
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