EMINENT individuals and leaders of thought in the South-West have, again, reiterated the call for the restructuring of the country, noting that massive devolution of powers from the centre to the federating units, resource control and the issue of state police, among others, must take place if the country is to remain united and peaceful.
Among those who made the submissions on Thursday, at the first meeting of the Conscience of the Yoruba Race with topic “Restructuring Nigeria: Options and strategies,” held at the Banquet Hall of the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, was a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and chairman on the occasion, Chief Olu Falae; keynote speaker, Professor Amos Akingba and the administrator of the group, Chief Kole Omololu.
Other discussants included the former Editor of the TELL Magazine, Mr Dare Babarinsa; veteran journalist, Mr Eric Teniola; Special Adviser to the Oyo State governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Osun State Signage, Hoarding and Advertisement Agency, Mrs Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo.
Falae maintained that the currency of the debate about restructuring the country and the issues it is generating has made it critical for the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to address the issue of the country’s unity “if Nigeria is to have a future.”
According to him, though there might be many options to restructuring, the best way forward for the country “lies in the implementation of the 2014 national Conference report,” adding that the regionalism and devolution of powers currently being advocated is to ensure that the country made progress.
He added that the Yoruba must acquire everything needed for self-determination by gaining control of its resources while the states will also have state police.
“What we have come to discuss is a big subject in Nigeria years ago. Not long ago the new president, my friend, said it was non-issue and that the report of the national CONFAB had not been read. But that subject has become topical and like I said in my recent interview, the restructuring of Nigeria via the report of the national conference is the future of Nigeria, if Nigeria has a future. The options for restructuring are many.
“We went to Abuja for a regional agenda but on getting there, the Middle Belters were scared of it but I am happy that in recent times, they are at the forefront that regionlism it shall be. I called my friend, Jerry Gana and asked what had happened and he said they had had a change of mind.
“Change must come but not the partisan change that has no meaning. Massive devolution of powers, responsibilities and resources must take place from the centre to the federating units. I want to add that the devolution will not stop at the old regional capitals of power. It must continue to the states created in the regions and the local government, which is where our people reside.”
In his keynote address, Professor Akingba maintained that while the like of the Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, gave the region sound education, good roads and hospitals, those amenities and good developments were fast being eroded, noting that this has made restructuring imperative.
He stated that Nigeria had begun to break and that restructuring remained the only way out, noting that the 2014 National Conference was able to address critical issues of region/states, devolution of powers, resource control and state policing and that had the report been implemented, it would have address the current threats of ethnic violence.
Akingba, who warned that the recent threats against the Igbo in the North was a threat against the Yoruba and the entire Southern Nigeria, lamented that the Yoruba people were already under siege from Fulani herdsmen and Fulani oligarchy, who he said were in control of the military today.
“We the war front; restructuring is not going to be easy, because the Yoruba are surrounded and the Igbo are ready, but are we ready? Restructuring is no longer about politics; it is about tribes and this is why there must be a strategic realignment among the ethnic groups of Southern Nigeria to rescue ourselves from the Hausa/Fulani, who do not want restructuring.”
In his welcome address, the administrator of the Conscience of the Yoruba Race, Chief Omololu stated that the developments in the country called for the need for the Yoruba race to mobilise intelligence and ensure social justice for her members.
Omololu, who noted that the group started as a social media group for the mobilisation of the Yoruba worldwide, added that the time “has come to fashion out the ways to implement the resolutions reached in the 2014 national conference where all groups were represented.”
The meeting had in attendance former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel; his former Commissioner for Information, Mr Sina Kawonise; Dr Gbola Adetunji; Professor Wale Olaitan Are; Dr Akin Onigbinde (SAN); Mrs Bola Doherty; Chief Hakeem Gbajabiamila; among others.
and then