Leaders at Yoruba summit insist on regional govt

Leaders of some southern states of Nigeria yesterday stormed Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to deliberate on the restructuring agenda and the future of Nigeria.

Among the leaders at the event included governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Tokubo Ajasin, former governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, former Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, former senator Gbenga Kaka, the leader of Odua People’s Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, Doyin Okupe, Chief Afe Babalola, Chief Femi FaniKayode, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Yinka Odumakin, among others.

In the communiqué issued and signed by the chairman of the summit, Dr. Kunle Olajide, the summit recalled that there was a rapid development in the region during the years of self-government up till the abrogation of the federal constitution in 1966.

The Yoruba insisted that Nigeria must return to a proper federation as obtained in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions. “This has been our position since 1950 Ibadan conference and developments in Nigeria over the last fifty years reinforce our conviction,” the communiqué said.

According to the summit, Yoruba people said restructuring does not mean different things to different people other than that a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria can only know real peace and development if it is run ONLY along federal lines.

Part of the communique read, “Nigeria shall be a federation comprised of six regions and the federal capital Territory, Abuja. The Federal Government shall make laws and only have powers in relation to items specified on the legislative list contained in the constitution of the Federation.”

Speaking on behalf of the southeast, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Senator John Nwodo said his presence at the event was to emphasise Igbo’s solidarity with the Yoruba on restructuring.

He said there is a need for federal government to allow Nigerians to write their own constitution and how they wish to be governed.

The leader of the South South, Chief Albert said the region was fully in support of restructuring, adding that the summit was an indication that democracy had come to stay in Nigeria.