Yoruba leaders to hold rally in Ibadan on Sep 7 supporting Nigeria's unity and demanding restructuring

PROMINENT Yoruba leaders have announced plans to hold a grand rally in Ibadan on September 7 where they will affirm their commitment to a united Nigeria but also call for a restructuring of the federation to address its plethora of socio-economic woes.

Over recent months, the political atmosphere in Nigeria has been extremely charged, with numerous ethnic groups issuing threats against one another and calls for secession. Yorubas and northerners for instance have been given an ultimatum by Niger Delta youths to leave their region or there will be a resumption of pipeline vandalism.

Responding to the crisis, an organising committee of Yoruba elders has announced plans to hold a Grand Rally of Yoruba Congress at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, next month. Dr Kunle Olajide, the chairman of the organising committee, said the event would hold under the leadership of legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola.

He added that some of the issues to be discussed include among others, the constitution foisted on the country and the attending lopsided structure of Nigeria. According to Dr Olajide, the congress would also discuss how to bring prosperity to the region and maximise the latent potential of southwest Nigeria.

Dr Olajide said: “The Yoruba as a nation is now united and we prefer to exist within Nigeria where we are guaranteed safety and progress. We believe it is in the interest of all of for this country to be reorganised in such a way that power is devolved to the federating units.

“It is on this basis that leaders of Yoruba nation, home and abroad, organised groups, students, artisans, past and current elected public officials across the political spectrum and many representatives of all facets of our people, would be converging in Ibadan to appraise these issues. We will fashion out a workable way out of the ongoing quagmire the nation faces."

He added that no fewer than 100 various groups and diplomatic corps are expected to be part of the rally. It is not yet clear if a summary of decisions reached at the rally will be forwarded on to the government or not.