Yoruba stakeholders under the aegis of the Yoruba Region Consultative Forum have advocated the restoration of regionalism as an alternative to secession, saying the system would promote fairness, equity, development and good governance in Nigeria.
The stakeholders said Nigeria fared better when it operated a regional system of government, noting that the arrangement allowed the various regions to exercise greater autonomy and pursue development according to their peculiar needs and aspirations.
They maintained that comprehensive restructuring of the country and restoration of regionalism would pave the way for a truly federal arrangement in which constituent regions would enjoy greater autonomy while remaining within a united Nigeria.
The stakeholders made the position at a consultative meeting held at the Dapo Aderogba Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The meeting deliberated extensively on the political, constitutional, economic and governance framework for a proposed Yoruba Region, with participants stressing the need for broad-based consultation before any restructuring arrangement is adopted.
The forum was convened by the Convener of Citizens Rebirth and Awareness Initiative (C-RAIN), Deacon Owolabi Oladejo, as a follow-up to the Concerned Citizens Assembly held in Abuja.
The gathering attracted prominent Yoruba personalities, traditional rulers and representatives of Yoruba-speaking communities in Kwara and Kogi states, among others.
Oladejo, in his welcome address, said the Abuja Assembly had mandated each proposed federated region to return to its people, consult widely, review its decisions and develop appropriate constitutional, territorial, economic and governance frameworks.
He stressed that consent must remain the foundation of the restructuring process, explaining that the objective was not necessarily to dismantle Nigeria but to establish a genuine federation in which autonomous regions would cooperate within a negotiated Federation of Nigerian Regions.
According to him, the proposed Yoruba Region must be founded on the principles of “consent, democratic participation, justice, inclusion, autonomy and mutual respect,” while ensuring adequate protection for the rights and interests of minority communities.
Oladejo cautioned against any arrangement that could make any community feel conquered or excluded, insisting that there must be no second-class citizens in the proposed region.
He said the next phase of the initiative would involve wider consultations, resolution of territorial questions and the development of a proposed Yoruba Regional Constitution covering governance, security, economic development, social welfare, fundamental rights and community participation.
The stakeholders also reviewed reports and recommendations from the Abuja summit, presented by Mr. Gbogun Loko and Comrade Jare Ajayi, who said the summit proposed 17 regions and advocated people-oriented governance.
Chairman of the occasion, retired General Kunle Toogun, described the initiative as part of efforts towards the emancipation of the Yoruba people, maintaining that restructuring and regional autonomy could help address what he described as prolonged suffering and marginalisation.
Toogun, who reflected on his experience as a military officer involved in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, said some Nigerians had been deprived of their rights and entitlements, adding that the Yoruba people deserved a government capable of addressing their peculiar aspirations.
Former Chief of Staff to the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Professor Gbade Ojo, said the proposed Yoruba Region possessed the human and material resources required to become viable.
Ojo cited the region’s population, common language, high educational attainment, human capital and mineral resources as some of the factors that could support its economic and political viability.
The Secretary of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Oloye Dipo Oyewole, expressed support for the initiative, saying the council was working in tandem with the restructuring agenda, while advocating greater use of the Yoruba language at home and reaffirming support for restructuring.
Other speakers, including Pastor Paul Bankole and Comrade Adigun Makanjuola, called for greater regional autonomy, with Makanjuola advocating a confederal arrangement and a return to complete regionalism.
Participants at the meeting included Princess Funso Oyenuga, Elder Yemi Soladoye, Chief Kunle Gbadamosi, Prince Ibrahim Adebara, Elder Banji Ogundele, Mr. Kolapo Raji, Mr. Olu Omotoso, Comrade Gabriel Ashaolu from Kwara State and Madam Toba Ojo, among others.
