The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, on Thursday declared its support for theplanned August 1 nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu.

Afenifere’s Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, however, said the body would not be part of the protest.

Also read: Nationwide protest: NGF promises to enhance security

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Faloye warned against violence during the nationwide protest.

According to Faloye: “Afenifere is not planning to be part of the protest but we support the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, however, we have been warning against the hardship. You can’t tell a hungry man not to wait.

“Afenifere has been saying we need economic and political restructuring of this country; but all we have is palliative, which are superficial moves.

“We acknowledge their rights, we saw this, but you, the government, don’t want to take responsibility for your economic policies. Tinubu imposed the 10 days of rage on himself due to his policies. It’s not that we support the protest, but we understand that it’s an organic reaction.

“We support anybody who wants to support the protest against government policies, which we understand are anti-people.

“We don’t support violence but peaceful protest to voice your concerns, in most cases; it’s not the people that are the problem but the government and the political thugs that are the issue. We support the protest.”

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has called on the Vanguard Newspaper to immediately retract a publication in its Tuesday edition, depicting some prominent members of the party as masterminds of the violence which claimed the life of a police officer, Akor Onuh, last Thursday in Benin.

Recall that the convoy of the reinstated Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was attacked by gunmen last Thursday, leading to the death of the police officer.

Also read: Edo 2024: A vote for APC is a vote for more poverty, says PDP campaign DG

The incident has pitched the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC against each other, with both parties calling for a probe while fingering opposition members as those involved in the mayhem.

Solicitor to the APC, Martin Omo-lghekpe and Co., in a letter to the management of Vanguard newspaper said the publication was malicious, libellous and defamatory, and should be retracted within 24 hours of receipt of the letter.

The solicitor’s letter to Vanguard reads in part, “We are solicitors to the AIl Progressive Congress, Edo State chapter, (hereinafter refer to as our client), on whose behalf we write you this letter.’’

“It is our brief that our client’s attention was drawn to the libellous, defamatory and malicious publication on page 15 of your newspaper, wherein you described the aforesaid faces in the publication; ‘as published by Vanguard Newspaper today (Tuesday) all of them APC thugs’.

“It is our brief that you termed the photographs of the aforesaid gentlemen as ‘Edo State Airport Violence faces of suspected culprits.’

“We take serious reservation to your audacious, malicious, libellous and defamatory publication, which has no legal foundation, as the said publication is orchestrated to

malign the image of the All Progressive Congress, Edo State chapter, in the eyes of the general public as our client had written a comprehensive petition to the office of the Inspector General of Police, in respect of the incident at the Benin Airport on the 18th of July, 2024, with said petition is subject to police investigation.

“We are of the firm view that a newspaper of your standing, ought to maintain the highest ethical standard by the regulatory agencies.

“Flowing from the above, our client hereby demands the immediate retraction of the aforesaid malicious, libellous and defamatory publication within 24 hours of the receipt of this letter.

“Our client also demands a letter of apology within a full cover space of your newspaper.”

The solicitor said that failure to abide by the penultimate paragraphs, “will leave us with no option than to institute both criminal and civil action against the newspaper.”

Northern Women have attacked the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for disrespectful remarks directed at Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during last week’s plenary.

In a statement released and signed by the 20-member body, Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), made available to the press on Tuesday, the women condemned Akpabio’s actions as a blatant display of disrespect and gender bias.

Also read: Senate didn’t approve new presidential jets, says Akpabio

The release, titled “Restoring Integrity: The Imperative of Respecting Female Senators in Nigeria’s Democracy,” stated that Akpabio’s remarks go beyond an isolated insult, as they symbolised the maintenance of gender hierarchies and the silencing of female voices in critical political spaces.

They further noted that this was not the first instance of such behaviour from Akpabio, as he recently silenced Senator Ireti Kingibe in a similarly dismissive manner, underscoring what they described as a troubling pattern.

“Comparing a female senator’s parliamentary conduct to nightclub behaviour is both sexist and an explicit attempt to bully and trivialise her contributions, diminishing her standing as a legitimate political actor. Such comments from the Senate President undermine the integrity of the Senate and contribute to a culture where women are undervalued and disrespected,” they said.

Among the notable signatories were Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF); Nguyan Shaku Feese; Senior Strategic Adviser for the DFID Funded; Teacher Development Programme (TDP), Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi; Secretary General of Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA); Amina Salihu; Deputy Director Nigeria, MacArthur Foundation; Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, Co-Founder of Sesor Empowerment Foundation.

Other prominent figures include Fatima Akilu, Executive Director of the Neem Foundation and former special advisor on national security; Ene Ede, a leading gender activist and advisor; Maryam Uwais, former special advisor on social investments to President Muhammadu Buhari; Kadaria Ahmed, Nigerian journalist and CEO Radio Now, and Aisha Waziri, co-founder of Revive Nigeria Group and former candidate for House of Representatives from Borno State.

Prominent activists and leaders such as Zainab Salihijo, Asmau Joda, Ene Orgah, Larai Ocheja Amusan, Mairo Mandara, and Maryam Lemu were also part of the group.

Rekiya Abaji, Sa’ida Sa’ad, Ummahani Amina, and Zaynab Musa further reinforced the collective by signing the release also.

The group emphasized that their members were drawn from North Central, North East, and North West Nigeria and is a coalition committed to fostering equitable, inclusive, and just societies for women across the Nation.

They noted that in a functioning democracy, especially a nascent one like Nigeria, every voice must be respected, regardless of gender.

“Dismissing female leaders with misogynistic comments undermines robust debate and diverse perspectives, which are crucial for effective policy making.

“Such attitudes reinforce harmful stereotypes, discourage women’s political participation, and perpetuate a male-dominated landscape. This is particularly detrimental for regions like northern Nigeria, where women face even more significant barriers to public office,” the said.

The group also noted that further reactions on the matter, which would be geared towards ensuring redress and a culture of ethical behaviour in public life would be welcomed.