A coalition of over 174 Yoruba groups in the diaspora, Yoruba One Voice (YOV), has said there is no going back on the actualisation of the O’odua Republic, saying that the Southwest region can no longer play a second fiddle in Nigeria.
The coalition made the commitment during an international webinar conference attended by over 1000 participants from all over the world, who expressed their readiness to seek justice and liberty for the Southwest region.
The guest speaker at the conference, which had as its theme ‘Dealing with Critical Fault-Lines of a Failed Federation: Is It to Unbundle or Restructure the Leviathan?’ was Professor Akin Alao.
In his remarks at the event, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, said the call for self-determination is a true reflection of the present mindset of all Yoruba sons and daughters in the diaspora.
“YOV is a coalition of all Yoruba groups and socio-cultural organisations in the diaspora that came together to rescue the Yoruba race from a rudderless nation called Nigeria. We decided to raise our voices against the unjust system that has for a very long time become the nemesis of our race.
“A race of about 200 million people spread across the world cannot continue to play a second fiddle in a country called ours. We cannot continue to live in self- denial and complete hopelessness,” he said.
Alao described Nigeria as “a fractured federation,” arguing that the British imperialists did more damage to the unity and sanctity of Nigeria than any other country in the world, even as he noted that failure of leadership remains the reason for continued agitations for a new Yoruba nation.
“The concept of our amalgamation was rooted in fraud, selfishness and distrust. And sadly too, the process of achieving independence and choosing our leaders has been so deficient. There has always been a deliberate attempt by the North to frustrate the economic activities of the Southwest,” he said.
In his welcome address, the general secretary of YOV, Dr. Sina Okanlomo, explained the rationale behind the parley, saying Nigerians of Yoruba descent in the diaspora are worried about the growing trends of insecurity in the country.
He said the group is determined to recreate a nation that allows justice, fairness, equity and transparency.
Okanlomo lamented that the Yoruba which had always been the most progressive and forward-looking race, is always at the receiving end.
“In the past, the progressive ideas and philosophies of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as premier of the Western Region became the focus and templates for regional growth and development for other regions.
“The glory of those years was noticeable in education, economy, infrastructure and other sectors; but today, the Southwest has been zoomed out through systemic political intrigues that tend to destroy our values for a just society,” he said.
He added that YOV would work out workable and intellectual solutions that will take into account all areas that had since affected the development of Yoruba nation.
In his submission, Professor Femi Obayori noted that different nationalities that were forced together had always been the reason for the regional rivalry, political instability, and social crisis, noting that the Yoruba have the right to determine whether to be part of Nigeria or not.
The moderator of the conference, Bamidele Seteolu, said with the turnout and contributions of participants at the meeting, there was no doubt that the conference had achieved its objectives.
Other notable participants at the conference include Professors Olufemi Oluyeju, Kolawole Raheem, Kehinde Yusuf, Seun Kolade; Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, Basorun Akin Osuntokun, Prince Adedapo Adesanmi, Olori Oluwakemi Adedipe, Omoladun Orolugbagbe,Tokunbo Soyinka, and other prominent discussants.
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