Yoruba Leaders Advocate Constitutional Reforms to Address Separatist Agitation.

  
Leaders of various Yoruba organisations on Tuesday rose from a one-day summit in Akure, Ondo State capital and tasked the federal government to look critically into the causes of the separatist feelings and initiate constitutional reforms to give sense of belonging to all the constituent units of the country.
The challenge was one of the communiqué of the summit, which was the second in the series after the one held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The meeting held at the newly built Ondo State event centre named “Dome” was attended by representatives of various Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisations like Afenifere, Yoruba Unity Forum, Agbekoya and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and has as its theme: ‘Economic Downturn and Unemployment in Yorubaland’

Reading the communiqué that was signed by the conveners of the summit, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr. Kunle Olajide, the leaders said Yoruba “should not paper over the cracks and watch till the situation gets out of hands.”
Some of the leaders at the summit include the Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Chairman of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Oodua People Congress, Chief Gani Adams, Chairman of Yoruba Council of Elders, Gen Adeyinka Adebayo ,Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee Dr. Kunle Olajide and Agbekoya
The leaders observed the protracted agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the Republic of Biafra.
 “We stand for the unity of Nigeria, we ask the federal government look critically into the causes of separatist feelings and initiate constitutional reforms to give sense of belonging to all constituent units of the country.

 “The recommendation of the 2014 national conference offers a good template for such engagement of the nationality question. 
“To this end, summit is irrevocably committed to pushing for the resolution of the lingering national question via restructuring of our federation, devolution of power and corresponding review of the revenue allocation in favour of the federating unit and centralisation of the security network,” the leaders stated.

They said the summit woould work with all groups in Nigeria who believe the true federalism to ensure their attainment of this project. 
The communiqué also reviewed what it described as the “harsh economic situation in the country as evident in massive unemployment, fuel scarcity, biting inflation, difficulties businesses are facing over the volatile foreign exchange regime by the CBN.”

The summit therefore called on the federal government to roll out a comprehensive economic plan to rebuild the nation’s “infrastructures, reflate the economy, create massive jobs, raise the standard of education, provide affordable health care and review monetary policies making investors to flee Nigeria.
The leaders called for the meeting of Yoruba States governors with leaders of the nation to fashion out an agenda for cooperation that would leverage on the economic strength of each state to create a conducive atmosphere for entrepreneur to tap the resources across the states. 
They noted with regret the activities of nomadic Fulani cattle rearers which continued to constitute a menace to the host communities.
The Yoruba leaders called on the federal government to “put a stop to this scourge by facilitating the establishment of ranches to prevent nomadic grazing and associated conflict and criminalities.

At the plenary, Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo said if President Buhari is sincere about peace in Nigeria, he must implement the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, which he inherited from the last administration. 
“I want Buhari to put wrong on my statement that he was afraid to implement the recommendations of the National Conference because his people are the one benefitting from the present structure of Nigeria’s federalism,” Adebanjo stated.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko said a meeting such as this remains fundamental to the constant examination and re-examination of the place of the Yoruba nation in our country, Nigeria.
“This gathering is indeed essential for us as a people to think through so many things considering the present state of the politics, economy and security of Nigeria.
“The security challenges confronting Nigeria are daunting. The Boko Haram insurgency tops the scary security situation of our country. The scourge has pitted neighbour against neighbour, displaced close to half a million people, destroyed hundreds of schools and government buildings and devastated the economy.
Other leaders present at the summit include Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. Chief Olu Falae, former governor of Lagos state Alhaji Raji Rasaki, the secretary of Afenifere Basorun Sehinde Arogbofa, Chief Olanihun Ajayi while Ajibade Oyekan represented the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.