The Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, has restated its call for a restructured Nigeria to reflect the true federalism status of the pre-1966 era.
Afenifere on Sunday, said that restructuring the country would help each region develop and flourish at its own pace, adding that the Yoruba people can only actualise their God-given potential and dreams in a restructured Nigeria.
The group noted that it supported President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition because of his antecedent regarding the restructuring of the country, saying that now that he is in the driver’s seat, he should work towards bringing this lifelong aspiration to reality.
The group said that it remained resolute that Reuben Fasoranti is the leader of the group and by this remains the national leader of the Yoruba people while Ayo Adebanjo is the acting leader.
While appreciating all other leaders, living and dead, for their progressive disposition towards the development of Yorubaland, the group added that they would be acting like the eagle to monitor economic and social development by the tiers of Government in the Southwest geopolitical zone.
This was contained in a nine-point communique issued at the end of its meeting in Asoludero Hall within the Sagamu private residence of a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, who is currently the Senator representing Ogun East.
Those at the meeting included the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere,
Kole Omololu, Senator Gbenga Daniel represented by Babatunde Onadeko, Tayo Onayemi, Dr Samuel Ibikunle, Ogun State Chairman of Afenifere, Dr Niyi Osoba, and state Secretary, Wale Adedayo among others.
They emphasised the need to engage with Baales and Obas in Yorubaland on the indiscriminate selling of lands to non-indigenes to arrest the situation.
The communique reads, “We reaffirm our commitment to the unity and development of Yorubaland.
“We need to act like the eagle to monitor economic and social development by the tiers of Government in our land.
“We remain resolute that Chief Reuben Fasoranti is our leader. In the same vein, we also appreciate all our leaders, living and dead, for their progressive disposition towards the development of Yorubaland.
“Afenifere is the second oldest political group in Africa, as South Africa’s African National Congress is the first one. We pledge to continue in the ways of our founding fathers notably, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“We reaffirm that Nigeria needs to be restructured so that the Yoruba Nation can achieve its full potential.
“There is a need to engage with Baales and Obas about the indiscriminate sale of land to non-indigenes.
“We’ll work with those concerned to reinvigorate the speaking of Yoruba Language among our young children. Our language must be cherished. We must protect and promote the Yoruba Language.
“Yoruba culture and traditions must also be cherished. We’ll work towards ensuring that Yoruba culture and traditions are not trampled underfoot.
“We’ll work with relevant stakeholders to ensure security for our people in the face of harassment and killing of rural farmers by suspected Fulani herdsmen, for instance in Imeko Afon Local Government.”
