Yoruba demand regional autonomy, state police

By Emmanuel Oladesu and Bisi Oladele, Ibaddan

Gen. Akinrinade...yesterday

The Yoruba General Assembly yesterday called for regional autonomy for the Southwest in an atmosphere of true federalism in Nigeria. 

The group dismissed the thinking that regional autonomy will undermine or subvert national unity, stressing that it could only solidify national cohesion and harmony.

The assembly, which held a one-day conference in Ibadan, the political headquarters of the Southwest, also canvassed state police, return to parliamentary system, abolition of the Land Use Decree, regional constitutions and role for traditional rulers. 

Highlights of the conference included a historical presentation by a member of the planning committee, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa, who traced the tragedy of the Yoruba nation from the colonial period to the present day Nigeria, goodwill messages from delegates and passing of resolutions on the national question. 

The General Assembly resolved to set up the Southwest Constitutional Commission “for the purpose of coordinating memoranda from citizens and groups in the region towards a federal constitution for the country and of producing a constitutional framework for the region as a unit of the Nigerian federation”.

The meeting also listed the demand of the Yoruba, including the adoption of a parliamentary system, regional and state police, establishment of a Constitutional Court with jurisdiction over inter-governmental cases and petitions from elections to the National Assembly, open ballot system, Yoruba anthem and flag.

The Itsekiri nation, represented by Chief Fred Agbeyegbe, said that there would be no hope for Nigeria, unless a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is convened to discuss the basis for peaceful co-existence among the ethnic nationalities in the country.

Another Itsekiri leader, Isaac Jemide, urged the Yoruba to assist to frustrate Ijaw’s bid for a separate state as a means of further oppressing Itsekiri on their land. He said the Itsekiri had suffered unjust deprivation, enjoining the ethnic nationalities to advance the cause of a national conference to boost their demand for self-determination.

The representative of the Yoruba in Kwara and Kogi states, Ayo Abereoran, demanded the creation of a separate state for the Yoruba in the two states to accommodate 14 Yoruba council areas in Kwara and Kogi states. He said the new state should be part of the Southwest geo-political zone, following the restructuring of the polity.

He added: “Grouping with the North has separated Yoruba in Kwara and Kogi from their kith and kin in the Southwest and this has retarded the progress and development of Yoruba in those states.  State creation has made Okun Yoruba in Kogi and Yoruba in Kwara to become more weakened, despite the fact that Yoruba occupy 12 councils and have the largest population in Kwara State.

“Willinkson Committee recommended that the people of Kabba and Ilorin Provinces can decide whether they can remain in the North or become part of the Southwest. They said they wanted to become part of the west, but it was not implemented. We want self-determination and correction to the geographical imbalance and erroneous boundaries created by Lord Lugard.”

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who spke on behalf of Southwest governors,  put the national question on the front burner, saying that state police, restructuring of the polity and decentralisation of the railway are priorities. He said the fears expressed about state police were unfounded, adding that it would only foster security in the states. 

The Convener, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, said the meeting, which was devoid of political and religious sentiments, was summoned to deliberate on the future of the Yoruba under the lopsided federal arrangement in the interest of future generations.

He rejected the notion that certain issues are not negotiable in Nigeria. Gen. Akinrinade said: “All matters, including the unity of Nigeria, are negotiable.”

The former apostles of non-negotiability in the defunct Yugoslavia and Rwanda are today either in jail or facing criminal trials, Gen. Akinrinade added.

He stressed: “We need to examine the structure of the polity together and make recommendations on how to facilitate the overall economic development of the country and the Southwest zone, in particular. We need to brainstorm about how to make sure that the architecture of governance is designed to strengthen the unity of the country through a constitutional system that favours restoration of regional autonomy that made it possible for our region to create the largest pool of manpower in sub-Sahara Africa half a century ago.”

Gen. Akinrinade said the Yoruba have a nostalgic feeling for the glorious Awolowo era, noting that the unprecedented developments recorded by the late sage and first Premier of the region were possible because Nigeria before independence practised true federalism.

The former Chief of Defence Staff said: “ Only a proper constitutional and political agreement, enhanced by a consensus among Yoruba to press for the restructuring and creation of a truly federal constitution, can help resolve the current constitutional and structural logjam in the country.

“This Assembly is convened to start the process of restoring true federalism, with its cornerstone of regional autonomy in our country. This could be achieved the same way Scotland has, through a peaceful constitutional process, demanded home rule within the framework of the United Kingdom. Today’s Assembly is a family meeting aimed at starting the formal process of demanding a restructuring of the Nigerian federation.

“It is the structural problem thrown up against our security, general wellbeing and future of our children that motivated me to convene this family meeting. We should raise issues with a system that daily traumatises, improverishes and completely degrades our people. We must not continue to be indifferent to a political structure and constitution which continue to deny us our place in the sun as it completely rubbishes our freedom to develop at our own pace as eloquently demonstrated in the days of Awolowo and his team.”

The one-day conference, which, held at the historic Oyo State House of Assembly, was attended by Yoruba from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara and Kogi states. Delegates also came from Yoruba in the Diaspora. Traditional rulers, foremost politicians, technocrats, professionals, top government officials, youths and students thronged the historic building, where the developmental projects of the late Premier Awolowo received the approval of the pioneer Southwest legislators.

At the meeting were Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, Ogun State Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun, Oyo State Deputy Governor Chief Alake Adeyemo, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, his Ekiti State counterpart, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Gen. Olufemi Olutoye (rtd) and his wife, Prof. Olutoye, Gen. David Jemibewon, former Ondo State Deputy Governor Musa Ayeni, Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chief Wumi Adegbonmire, Chief Dele Ajomale, Pa Adebayo Faleti and Senators Olorunnimbe Mamora, Babafemi Ojudu and Mudashiru Hussein. 

Also there were Ondo ACN governorship candidate Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Pa Olola Kasunmu, Dr. Amos Akingba, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo,  Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) and Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The event was also witnessed by the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr Frederick Fasehun, Dr. Dejo Raimi, representative of Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd), Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Femi Omirin, his Oyo State counterpart, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu,  Mr. Francis Ojo,  Mr. Olawale Oshun, Mr. Rotimi Obadofin, Prof. Ropo Sekoni, Mr. Femi Orebe, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye,  Mrs. Ronke Okunsanya,  Chief Yemi Falade, secretary of Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE);  Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Mrs. Ritalori Ogbebor,  Pa Baba Omojola, Prof. Aderibigbe,  Mr. Biodun Akin-Fasae, Mr. Niyi Afuye, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, Chief Dele Falusi, Chief Jide Awe, Mojeeb Alabi, Chief Pius Akinyelure,  Dr. Ishiak Kolawole, representative of Alhaji Lam Adesina, Prince Olu Adegboro, Mrs. Bola Doherty, Peter Fakorede, Babatunde Oduyoye, Lowo Adebiyi, Mr. Sunday Akere, Mr. Bimbo Awofeso, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, Mrs. Bisi Abiola, Mrs. Kemi Nelson and Mr. Bisi Adegbuyi.

There was also: Prof. Patrick Aina, Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Akinola Awodeyi-Akinsehinwa, Mr. Popoola Ajayi, Nelson Ekunjumi, Chief Tunde Odanye,   Ayo Afolabi, Toke Benson, Biodun Sowumi and Ademola Oyinlola.

Traditional rulers at the meeting included Whenu Aholu Menu Toyi, Oba Babatunde Akran of Badagry, Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Owa Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adebayo Adewole, Elekole of Ikole, Oba Fashiku, and Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, Oba Idowu Faboro.

Gen. Akinrinade revisited the national question, saying that Yoruba, which traditionally organised its polity along the model of federation since pre-colonial period, should canvass true federalism because it is most suitable for a country of diverse nations like Nigeria. 

He lamented the backwardness in Yorubaland, pointing out that most Yoruba children growing up in the Southwest from the 80s have come to see life as an experience to endure, rather than enjoy.

He said between 1952 and 1966, when Nigeria operated a federal system, Yoruba enjoyed free education, established the University of Ife, created the first television station in Africa and developed the best civil service in Africa, led by the late Chief Simeon Adebo.

Akinrinade recalled that the Yoruba were the first to officially recognise opposition in governance, which underscored their philosophical commitment to plurality of perspectives as a necessary aspect of democratic governance.

He added: “The cruel irony is that the region is now almost fully dependent on revenue from oil and handouts from Abuja. At independence in 1960, the Federal Government was taking loans of substantial amounts from the government of Western Nigeria. Unfortunately today, the truth is that, apart from Lagos State, our region has become a mendicant region that waits for limited droppings from the table of the Federal Government in Abuja.

 “A distant Federal Government has become an overlord that has unnecessarily attracted to itself the charges of marginalisation from constituent nationalities. Knowing where we were coming from, it is crystal clear that the absence of functional federalism in the country has exacerbated the decline of Yorubaland.”

Gen. Akinrinade allayed the fears of people who think that a Sovereign National Conference would lead to war. He said a national conference would re-examine the heavy value added tax and punitive duty on imported alcohol collected by the Federal Government for distribution to all states, including those that banned alcohol, using some dubious calculus.

He said amid the battle for restructuring, the Yoruba should strive to preserve their language and culture as a means of fast-tracking knowledge and development.

Gen. Akinrinade also enjoined the Yoruba political class to remove the brigandage that accompanies elections in the Southwest to avoid the destruction of lives and property.

To Olusi, who endorsed the position of the General Assembly, a national conference is inevitable because, according to him, the current federal structure has failed. He assured that Yoruba in Lagos would always support the feelings and position of other Yoruba states on the national question.

Olusi added: “Those of us from Lagos are from Ile-Ife. Lagos will always follow the Southwest. Oba Adeniji-Adele said Lagos state belongs to the west. We will always belong to Yoruba. Yoruba has an agenda. The federal structure is oppressing other component units. Yoruba can truly develop under a truly federal Nigeria. That was how Awolowo was able to bring progress to the Southwest”. 

Mamora reiterated his call for functional federalism, adding that the current National Assembly lacks the power to make a new constitution for Nigeria. He said a separate Constituent Assembly made up of representatives of the people should be saddled with the responsibility.

Akintola (SAN), who described himself as a Yoruba and Ibadan irredentist) said: “We must return to the Omoluabi concept. It is no more in existence in Yorubaland. It must be revived. A Yoruba was President, but he deferred to nobody. He did not succed. The marginalisation of Yoruba is real. 

The Yoruba have lost out in the banking and power sectors. What is happening today could not have happened in the days of Ajasin and Bola Ige. How many Yoruba are in the Court of Appeal. Our governors are sleeping. They should ask for statistics. Balarabe Musa and Shehu Sani even cried out that Yoruba are marginalised.

“Yoruba must not see Yoruba as job but vocation to serve Yorubaland. We need to encourage people like Gani Adams. We need them. On Constitution review, we must insist that derivation and Value Added Tax  must be revisited. As we prepare for Constitution review, we must also know that our states in Yorubaland have diversities and different needs. 

“States in the Southwest should have synergy. They should put heads together to construct the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Benin/Ore road”. 

Bankole supported regional economic integration in the Southwest, assuring that it will not lead to the disintegration of Nigeria. But he cautioned against state police, saying that those in government at the state level are not like the men of the old order who exhibited maturity in their days.

Mrs. Laoye-Tomori said: “We have neglected agriculture in the Southwest. That is why the North is threatening not to bring food to the Southwest. We must return to the farm.”

Oba Fashiku said: “Southwest governors should have Southwest Governors Forum. Enugu was capital of Eastern Region when Ibadan was capital of Western Region. Enugu is now a state. Why is Ibadan not a state? Ibadan should be a state.”

Adegbuyi, a lawyer, said: “What Yoruba need is self-determination. When Yoruba was president, did he reconstruct Lagos/Ibadan Expressway? Nigeria must revert to the structures at independence, with minor modifications. 

“Awolowo succeeded because of the constitutional framework. We want derivation, state police, autonomy. If some people say they don’t want state police, those of us who want it should have it.”

Gen. Olutoye said: “Yoruba need to have a strong leader. He may be old or young. We also need unity. we should not destroy ourselves.”

Prof. Sekoni said: “We should take position on the Yoruba Agenda. We should pass resolution on it and pass it to the committee that will work on the constitution.”

Akingba, who read the resolutions, observed that Nigeria is at a crossroads, noting that critical issues that constitute the national question, have not been resolved.

SOURCE: 31 August 2012.