Yoruba in Kwara ask FG to return Nigeria to true federalism

BY KEHINDE AKINPELU

Yorubas in Kwara State, under the aegis of Apapo Yoruba Kwara, on Thursday said that the Federal Government should return Nigeria to true federalism, as negotiated and agreed to by their founding fathers in the 2014 National Conference.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, the coordinator of the socio-cultural organisation, which is made up of over 16 Yoruba socio-cultural groups, Chief Samuel Adewoye, whose speech was read by High Chief Jayeola Omotoso, the people said that immediate implementation of recommendations of the 2014 National Conference is sacrosanct, “as the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not adequately guarantee and take care of the interest of all the ethnic nationalities.

“There is no doubt that Nigeria is on the brink; in order to save it from total collapse, it is hereby strongly recommended that the Federal government should urgently implement the Recommendations of the 2014 National Conference by returning Nigeria to true federalism as negotiated and agreed to by our founding fathers.”

The press conference, titled, Kwara Yoruba and the issues of security, restructuring and self-determination for Yoruba nation, the people asked the Federal Government to also return to 1963 Constitution as may be modified.

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The recommendations also include: Boundary adjustment which will return Kwara State to the South-West geo-political zone. Establishment of State Police to enhance security. Fiscal federalism or resource control etc.

“In respect of Kwara State Government, we emphasise the imperative of: Restoring the dignity, honour and paraphernalia of Yoruba traditional institutions in the so-called Ilorin Emirate i.e. Asa, Moro, Ilorin West, Ilorin East and Ilorin South by grading and upgrading them like their counterparts in the other Local Governments of the State.

“Implementing without further delay the two subsisting court judgements already won by the good people of Moro which exclude them from Ilorin Emirate.

“Putting machinery in motion for the immediate creation of Local Council Development Areas with particular reference to Ifelodun, Asa and Moro Local Government Areas which constitute some of the largest local councils in the federation etc.

The socio-cultural organisation also lamented plethora of challenges of insecurity in the country via the activities of Boko Haram, bandits, terrorists, and herdsmen, saying that the situation had all combined to threaten the Federal Government out of its wits.

“The rapidity and frequency of these odious crimes have turned the country into an unsafe haven. The high sense of insecurity across the federation combined with the unwillingness of the power-that-be to restructure the country provide a fertile ground for the agitation for self-determination in the form of Yoruba Nation, Biafra Republic, Middle Belt Republic, South-South Republic etc.”