As political parties ramp up activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, the apex Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed concern over a rising wave of political intolerance, inflammatory rhetoric, and improper conduct among Nigeria’s political class.
Rising from its monthly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Lagos, the group warned that reckless and inciting statements by politicians are rapidly heating up the nation’s polity and threatening Nigeria’s democratic space.
In a communiqué jointly signed by the Afenifere National Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and the newly appointed substantive Secretary-General, Mr. Alade Rotimi-John, the group called for decorum, restraint, and strict adherence to global best practices as electioneering gets underway.
Denouncing the toxic political atmosphere, Afenifere urged politicians across party lines to conduct themselves with civility.
“The meeting denounced the rising wave of intolerance among a cross-section of the political class who make reckless, inflammatory, and inciting statements, thereby heating up the polity and constricting the democratic space,” the statement read.
The organization further challenged the Federal Government to demonstrate genuine commitment to democratic ideals by ensuring that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) operates as a truly independent umpire during the 2027 general elections.
Reviewing the socio-economic situation in the country, Afenifere criticized the performance of the administration, noting that “a pervasive climate of hardship, hunger, and hyperinflation remains the defining characteristic of the Tinubu presidency.”
The group faulted the administration’s handling of safety, security, and economic well-being, while rejecting the recent fuel price modulation mechanism announced by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, which caps petrol at N1,350 per litre.
Describing the price cap as a “far cry from the expectations of Nigerians,” Afenifere advocated immediate review down to N350 – N400 per litre to ease widespread transport and living costs.
It also called for immediate upward adjustment of the current N70,000 national minimum wage, which the group argued has been rendered completely ineffective by hyperinflation.
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