Let me welcome you, friends, compatriots and distinguished gentlemen of the press to Afenifere Renewal Group’s (ARG) maiden Media Chat. As it connotes, this forum is proposed as a periodic interaction between us and your good selves in the fourth estate of the realm. Without any doubt, ARG and the Media have become important partners in projecting the issues that affect and concern our people, especially those that are in line with our avowed commitment to ensure that the development aspirations of the Yoruba people within the Nigerian space are not limited, trampled upon or constrained in any way. This periodic Media Chat will therefore become a no-holds-barred forum of and for a meeting of minds. It would serve as a space for ARG to bring important issues to the fore, and provide information and clarification on matters relating to our strategy and positions, the Yoruba nation and the country in general. In turn, we would also expect you, our friends in the Media, to raise important issues and where necessary challenge us on areas where you feel we can become stronger agents of change in projecting and actualizing our people’s development aspirations. We are prepared to subject the ARG to regular dialogues and evidence-based discussions that engage our people and address issues that are pertinent to their well being. We assure you that this will be meaningful discourses, where we proffer strategic solutions, as we emulate the sage-approach of our Avatar, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.In our view, this is important, in cognizance of the current unpredictable and unstable dynamics of Nigeria’s social and political temperament, alongside the nation’s daily co-existence with demonstrable leadership-devoid, in a midst of uncertainties and insecurity.
Let us use this opportunity to re-iterate ARG’s mission to promote, protect and accelerate Yoruba development in all spheres of human endeavours and civilisation. ARG’s commitment to this cause is unwavering and unapologetic in their pursuit. ARG is decidedly progressive in inclinations and practical in actions. We are crystal clear about our sense of purpose and direction, irrespective of what segments of our people may be parroting in recent times. We focus our politics and political activities on the pathway of development, as we consciously re-direct and channel those in charge of our affairs in the Region to initiatives that ensure the greatest good to the greatest number of our people. ARG is acutely committed to the centrality of man in all development programmes and actions. We would continue to work with like minds, in the political and non-political arenas, and in all other spheres of developmental endeavours, to ensure that this paradigm remains the starting point and the benchmark for governance in our Region.
Dear friends and compatriots, you will recall that in our End-of-Year State of the Nation Press Conference in 2012, we confronted the nation with information regarding the mind-boggling issues of corruption, profligacy and the scared-cow syndrome, including the unprecedented marginalization of the Yoruba by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, focusing on the issue of lopsided recuitment and promotion in the public service. Sadly and unfortunately, this situation has not abated. Current reality also paints the picture of an underestimation of the scale of impunity and flagrant disregard for the laws of the land and every sense of propriety and good order. These have been exhibited, most notably by the recent pardon granted to the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diprieye Alamieyeseigha. This blatant display of deficit in ethical-based governance, has received widespread and worldwide condemnation, which ARG also reacted to via a press statement. This is an interactive media parley. As such, we would like to engage with you, respond to your questions, and provide clarifications where necessary. We would welcome your ideas, opinions, and exposure to facts that may not be available to us.
As we proceed, we would like to provide some clarification around recent events where ARG’s name was cited, precisely about a meeting that took place in Akure, where it was reported that some factions of Afenifere “re-united”. We would like to state, and for the avoidance of any doubts, that our Group, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) was neither involved nor represented at that meeting. None of those who attended that meeting could claim to be representing Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG). Whoever attended and/or participated at that meeting did so entirely on their own volition. ARG is a group that recognises the independent mindedness of individuals, therefore we concede to individuals, their right and choice of association. ARG is a group with explicit and untainted moral values and stance. We affirm therefore that anybody who purports to be an ARG member, and sits in a meeting with Iyiola Omisore, and some of the other personalities mentioned at that meeting, is on his or her own and cannot and will not be a member nor an associate of ARG. We need to emphasise that ARG does not and will not quarrel or contend with the old Afenifere. We have met with them and consulted with them on Pan-Yoruba issues where and when necessary. We also affirm that there is no question of a re-union between Afenifere of old and Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG). ARG has and does projects a uniquely vibrant identity, a clearly distinctly defined mission and philosophical stance that are carved in progressive and developmental independence of thoughts and actions, that are informed by engrained Omoluabi values. We also make clear that we are tied to no strings – individual or institutional.
ARG is an independent Group of Yoruba patriots, an ethos we hold in high esteem and guard with principles. ARG is not controlled from anywhere, by anyone, by any group or by any political party. In our midst are professionals, businessmen, academics, intellectuals, technocrats and people across the length and breadth of Yorubaland and in the Diaspora. We have made no secret of the fact that we are a political organisation. However, many of our members are not partisan and they view the socio-economic and political development of Yorubaland as a major goal. Only the mischievous would continue to make unsubstantiated claims about any juggernaut behind ARG or any money-bag funding the activities of the Group – in the past or even now. We reject these claims completely, they are totally baseless. ARG is self-funded, and we are supported by the generosity of many Yoruba people, some of whom are neither members of the Group nor are even politicians. These decent individuals believe in ARG’s vision and aspirations, and they willingly support us in whatever way and form they deem fit – we use this opportunity to acknowledge these valuable support.It has become evident, in the history of Nigeria, that whenever Yorubaland is poised for development, or is seen to be on the path of development, all forms of threats and conspiracies begin to rear their heads. These threats are usually from within and outside the Region. We do not fail at any time to recognise them. Our progenitors in the distant past and of course, in the not-too-distant-past, have had to contend with these scenarios, and they have done their best to either mitigate them or fight them off. This time around, the Yoruba people are prepared for them.
ARG will stand in constant watch and will sensitise and mobilise Yoruba people everywhere against the threats that have started to emerge, apparently to truncate our march to development. Of course, internal collaborators from within, foisting all kinds of pernicious and suspicious agenda are never in short supply. Yoruba people are never confused, neither are we ever in doubt about our collective interests. Yoruba people do not succumb to negative propaganda, regardless of where it is coming from, or who is peddling such. In the fullness of time, and in our own way, Yoruba people shall put political jobbers and opportunists where they belong. Without any doubt, the Yoruba have always been specifically targetted either for development decimation or at best arrested progress. The trajectory is all too familiar. Awolowo’s travails, just as colonialism was winding down in the country, and of course with active collaborators from within Yorubaland, led to the end of the First Republic. When another opening emerged for development in the UPN days after 13 years of military rule, the internal colonialists, through the military, struck in 1983 to truncate the advancement of the progressive Southwest governments. Moshood Abiola emerged on the political scene. Nigerians voted for him out of their free will, but his victory at the polls was viciously scuttled. Those who have continued to arrogate to themselves the decision of who would rule and reign over the rest of us, crafted an arrangement that imposed former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the country. The eight (8) subsequent years of a PDP led government in the Southwest imposed a reign of terror and violent dispossession of our value system, foisted on us strange people and strange policies and took away the development agenda of the progressive Yoruba people. We are still smarting from the fallout.
Although we can say that we have now begun to see some semblance of purposeful governance, with obvious development strides across the Region, the Philistines are once again ganging up against the Yoruba people. Of course, we are mindful of the recent thoughtless and insulting statement made by the thoroughly discredited former PDP Chairman, Ahmadu Alli against Yoruba people and our collective sensibilities. Some of our people have adequately responded to his tirades and we are sure he will continue to suffer the opprobrium of the majority. We would however like to say that we would not further dignify this man, who in the course of his odious public engagements within the Nigerian space, has had no credible record of performance, but has constantly acted against the interests of Nigerians, including of course his own Igala people. He is so thoroughly bad, discredited and evil that the PDP, as bad as they are, could not risk him being the Chairman of their Board of Trustees, against his wishes and those of his master.Specifically, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) hereby wishes to make it clear that we are aware of the plans by the PDP-led Federal Government to take advantage of our historical sensibilities, by promoting certain individuals to form political associations and political parties in our Region, and providing funding to them through spurious and dubious contracts in order to use them as agents of destabilisation, in fulfilment of a sinister 2015 agenda. We are putting this in the public space, so that our people would be informed about the threats that are being massed against them. However, this is Yorubaland. We are veterans in this kind of struggles, and we dare say that we are not battle-weary. We will as usual, fend this off.We are hereby placing our people on high alert, and asking them to be on guard against the enemy within and the enemy outside. This time around, we must not allow them to succeed, as this is in our interest and that of generations unborn. ARG would like to warn those who are involved in any invidious project or plot against the Yoruba people to desist, or they would inevitably face the wrath of the people.
At this point, we would like to express our Group’s serious concern regarding the current spate of bloodshed in the country, mainly as a result of the activities of the so-called Boko Haram and another group that calls itself Ansaru. We are deeply touched and we sympathise with the victims of these unfortunate occurrences, and like most Nigerians, we call on the Federal Government to rise up to its responsibilities and put a final stop to this frequent bloodshed. This is squarely within the scope of their responsibilities, and there should be no beating about the bush. Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) would like to warn that this type of tendency is alien to us in Yorubaland, and so it would not be permitted, it would be resisted by our people, and it would never be allowed to have a foothold.
However, while we appreciate the concerns of those who have canvassed amnesty as a response strategy to this menace, we would however like to say that the Boko Haram menace is a persistent indication and manifestation of a deeper malaise beleaguering the country. Amnesty will therefore be another attempt not only to create an opportunity for anarchists, but to further postpone the evil days. Considering the structural deficiency of the country, it is not likely that we would see an end to the use of Amnesty. Therefore, in line with our constant agitation for the imperative of restructuring this multi-ethnic, multi-religion and multi-faceted country, it is our view that there is no better time than now to convene a National Conference that would finally resolve the Nationality Question that constantly and continuously pushes this country to the precipice. We demand a convocation of this Conference without any further delay.For ARG and the entire Yoruba people, at home and in the Diaspora, it is forward ever, backward never. With the realization that the struggle continues, ARG is assured that victory, development and progress will be ours.
Thank you for your attention and God bless.
Being the text of a press conference by Hon. Olawale Oshun, the National Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group on Monday.
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