The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has described the recent event that played out during the crusade for the establishment of operation Amotekun across the South West as a blessing in disguise, pointing out that the Yoruba spoke with one voice in their efforts to make sure that the new initiative came alive.
He dismissed the insinuations in some quarters that the motive behind the formation of Amotekun was political.
Adams made the assertion on Monday during the ongoing Oodua Progressive Union World Congress in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The Yoruba leader noted also that the South West had no plan to secede, saying despite the leadership problem in the country, Nigeria’s unity is part of the nation’s success story.
He said: “For us in the South West, Amotekun has been a blessing to us because the outfit was established for the protection of our people and stem the tide of armed robbery, kidnapping, illegal destruction of lives and property.
“This is the first time that the entire region was united on the need to raise a security platform to complement the existing security agencies to protect the lives and property of our people, which was our constitutional duty.
“It is necessary for our Governors to have our own security network.
“Life is precious.
“You don’t politicise the issue of security.
“Let me allay the fears in some quarters that Amotekun has a political bearing toward the South West’s secession plan.
“This is not true.
“The South West is not seceding from Nigeria.
“The South West zone remains part of Nigeria and it will remain committed to a united and indivisible Nigerian federation.”
Aare Adams applauded the courage of the South West governors, adding that the agreement reached between the Federal Government and States helmsmen on the security network made the victory inevitable.
He, however, cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari not to destroy the unity and foundation of the nation with nepotism in appointing government officials.
He said: “For instance, most important and influential positions at the Federal level from one to 15 are Northerners.
“It is this government has has marginalised the South West most in the area of public offices appointments.
“Buhari’s government is tainted with nepotism.
“You have a situation where by only two South West judges are appointed in about 20 judges in the Federation and the rest are northerners.
“This is clear nepotism and it should be stopped in order not to destroy the foundation and unity of this great nation, which the OPU is projecting abroad.”
The Aareonakakanfo also gave reasons for initiating the OPU World Congress, stressing that the group, presently in 87 countries, is determined to promote the culture of the Yoruba race all over the world.
He said: “OPU is a group of Yoruba sons and daughters spreading across the seven continents in the world.
“And their intention is to promote the Yoruba cultural identity, heritage and traditions.
“It is their aim to sustain our tradition and using it to drive social network, economic integration, creating jobs as well as boosting tourism.”
Prominent guests present at the ongoing summit included the Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Prof. Rasak Ojo Bakare; Director General, Ministry of Arts and Culture, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre; Chairman, Ekiti World Congress, Prince Olawale Ayinla; the Guest Lecturer, Jadesola Tai Babatola; and Chief Jimoh Aliu.
Others were Chief Gani Kayode Balogun, Osi Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland; Chief Ebudola Odedina, Fiwagboye Aareonakakanfo; Chief Victor Adewale, Akingbayi Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland and Coordinator OPU Europe; Secretary General, OPU, Prince Lanre Sunmonu; and Yeyeluwa Alice Eniola.
