The Progressive Yoruba Youths, a civil
society group, condemned a statement credited to the COVID-19 and Beyond
Survival Alliance (ASCAB), suggesting that the federal government had
demonstrated a lack of ability to deal with violence in the North.
society group, condemned a statement credited to the COVID-19 and Beyond
Survival Alliance (ASCAB), suggesting that the federal government had
demonstrated a lack of ability to deal with violence in the North.
A senior Nigerian advocate, Femi
Falana, is the president of the ASCAB, which was launched before May 1.
Falana, is the president of the ASCAB, which was launched before May 1.
ASCAB claimed that the Nigerian
authorities had failed to link the spread of the pandemic to the failure of an
effective public health system, the lack of social security and health
insurance for the masses, while governments had no preference for providing the
essential elements of life, such as housing and food security.
authorities had failed to link the spread of the pandemic to the failure of an
effective public health system, the lack of social security and health
insurance for the masses, while governments had no preference for providing the
essential elements of life, such as housing and food security.
The Yoruba group reacted to the
development, saying Falana ‘s comment was discouraging and does not speak well
of a man who claims to be a pro-Nigerian.
development, saying Falana ‘s comment was discouraging and does not speak well
of a man who claims to be a pro-Nigerian.
Therefore, in a statement by its
president, Kola Salau, the Progressive Yoruba Youths asked Femi Falana to put
together his acts and face his legal practice, rather than being the jack of
all trades, and master of none.
president, Kola Salau, the Progressive Yoruba Youths asked Femi Falana to put
together his acts and face his legal practice, rather than being the jack of
all trades, and master of none.
The statement added, “The
Progressive Yoruba Youth are aware that Femi Falana is as ignoble as the group
he presides over, and it is naturally expected that any statement signed by
Femi Falana with a pinch of salt should be viewed in Nigeria.
Progressive Yoruba Youth are aware that Femi Falana is as ignoble as the group
he presides over, and it is naturally expected that any statement signed by
Femi Falana with a pinch of salt should be viewed in Nigeria.
“It’s no longer news that his
stock in commerce is to seek attention by issuing press statements that are, in
most cases, a gimmick to curry clients’ patronage.
stock in commerce is to seek attention by issuing press statements that are, in
most cases, a gimmick to curry clients’ patronage.
“The Progressive Yoruba Youths
would like to inform the general public that Femi Falana is speaking from both
sides of his mouth and in most cases his ultimate goal is to achieve his
monetary gains.
would like to inform the general public that Femi Falana is speaking from both
sides of his mouth and in most cases his ultimate goal is to achieve his
monetary gains.
“We would also like to point out
that, if this is not the case, there is no moral justification for Femi Falana
to attempt to discredit the federal government’s efforts to address security
issues in Northern Nigeria when the same Femi Falana has provided legal
services to militant groups in Northern Nigeria such as the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria (IMN).
that, if this is not the case, there is no moral justification for Femi Falana
to attempt to discredit the federal government’s efforts to address security
issues in Northern Nigeria when the same Femi Falana has provided legal
services to militant groups in Northern Nigeria such as the Islamic Movement of
Nigeria (IMN).
“Femi Falana’s pecuniary gains in
representing IMN in court are indeed a lucrative one such that his reasoning
was blinded when he described IMN’s proscription as immoral and unlawful.
representing IMN in court are indeed a lucrative one such that his reasoning
was blinded when he described IMN’s proscription as immoral and unlawful.
“The Progressive Yoruba Youths
want to advise the general public to be cautious whenever Femi Falana
contributes to issues of national concern as most of the time it is not in the
country’s best interest.
want to advise the general public to be cautious whenever Femi Falana
contributes to issues of national concern as most of the time it is not in the
country’s best interest.
“The Progressive Yoruba Youths
want to use this medium to warn Femi Falana to be guided by his statements and
to refrain from playing the advocate of the devil at this critical point in our
existence.
want to use this medium to warn Femi Falana to be guided by his statements and
to refrain from playing the advocate of the devil at this critical point in our
existence.
“At this stage, Femi Falana is
expected to display decorum in his behavior and postulations of government
policies and other areas of national concern. This isn’t the time to play the
gallery, either.
expected to display decorum in his behavior and postulations of government
policies and other areas of national concern. This isn’t the time to play the
gallery, either.