A delegate to the ongoing National Conference and National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Conference, Otunba Gani Adams, has flayed the comments of the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Bakindo Aliu Musdafa, on the floor of the conference on Wednesday that the North was prepared to walk out of the conference and secede.
Adams told newsmen in Lagos on Thursday that though the Yoruba race was willing to stay within the Nigerian project and nation, it would not do so as a result of threat from any other race.
He said it is glaring that the Yoruba race can survive without being a part of Nigeria but that it was in the best interest of the country to remain one.
He said: “We the Yoruba people want to remain in Nigeria, but we shouldn’t be threatened.
“We didn’t have oil in 1954 to 1959, but we all know what Chief Obafemi Awolowo did for this nation through the Western Region government and when you study the Yoruba very carefully, our developments usually come from 80 per cent individuals and not government.
“We don’t rely on any development from government and we will not rely on the government for developments.”
On the comments by the Lamido of Adamawa, Adams said: “I was highly disappointed about his statement.
“An eminent royal father like the Lamido of Adamawa ought not to make such a statement.
“He’s one of the most respected emirs we have in Nigeria today.
“He should be the number five most recognised emir in the country.
“I seize this opportunity to appeal to the royal fathers, including the emir, to watch their statements.
“Nobody should threaten the unity of Nigeria.
“We want Nigeria, but we should not be threatened.
“We the Yoruba people want to remain in Nigeria, but we shouldn’t be threatened.
“It is the North that depends on the government.
“They don’t need Nigeria more than us, but we all need Nigeria because we have inter-married, done businesses together and Abuja has solidified us.
“There are a lot of interests among the six geopolitical zones and Abuja and Lagos.
“It will be better for us to have one Nigeria so that our population can speak for us wherever we are.”
On the no-go areas specified by President Goodluck Jonathan for the conference, Adams said: “Nobody will want Nigeria to break, but we have to negotiate Nigeria.
“When you have a relationship with some people for 100 years, you are not moving forward and you are gradually becoming a laughing stock in the comity of nations, you need to negotiate your existence.
“How do we move forward if we want to remain one Nigeria?
“What kind of system must we use to remain one Nigeria?
“But anybody who says the status quo should remain does not want the unity of Nigeria.
“We must learn to leave on the principle of justice, equity and not be selfish.
“We have equal citizens in USA, but the reverse is the case here.
“If you go to some places in this country, if you don’t speak their language, you cannot get a job or even get promoted.
“All our appointments are usually lopsided.”
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