The group also urged the government to listen to the demands of the Nigerian Labour Congress to avoid the planned industrial action.
This was contained in a communique issued after the meeting of the group held at the residence of its acting National Leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, on Tuesday.
The communique was made available to our correspondent in Akure, Ondo State, by the Secretary General of the association, Chief Sola Ebiseni.
According to the group, since the removal of the oil subsidy and other economic policies “hastily pronounced without planning for the collateral effects”, the Nigerian masses have been abysmally pauperised.
The Afenifere noted that in reacting and calling for mass action on the subsidy removal, the NLC was living to its historic responsibility. It also urged the government to reduce the cost of governance in the interest of the nation.
It said, “Afenifere restates its commitment to welfare economics as opposed to the neo-liberal economic policies currently being pushed. The government needs to open up to Nigerians and those in power come down from their ostentatious lifestyles.
“From the humongous number of 50 ministers with an intractable number of aides, it is unacceptable that the people are being called upon to make further sacrifices. Government is called upon to look into the plight of Nigerians and listen to the NLC to avert the looming strikes in the interests of the already prostrate economy.”
On the outcome of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, the Afenifere, expressed its support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi’s decision to challenge the result of the tribunal.
“Afenifere remains convinced and undeterred on the just principles with which we agreed to support Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. In line with our disagreement with the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the 2023 elections, we support a further appeal to the Supreme Court in the interest of the nation.
“Afenifere cannot reconcile with such pronouncements that the INEC is at liberty to return to the manual collation of election results and all the primitive electoral brigandage associated. Neither is it true with our political structure that Nigeria is now a 37-state federation as the Court of Appeal erroneously pronounced.
“Afenifere remains resolved that no person or group of persons shall hold the reins of power except in the proven interest of a fair, equitable, inclusive and thus united Nigeria in their peaceful, prosperous and harmonious diversity,” the group stated in the communique.
