The growing calls for secession by some Yoruba indigenes seem to have polarised the region as some political leaders from the zone have kicked against it. In this report, TOPE SUNDAY examines the arguments for and against secession and asks: between the S/west leaders and the secession agitators who will back down?
The current agitations in the South-west geo-political zone have divided the region into two. While the politicians are agitating that the 2023 presidential ticket should be zoned to the region, others, particularly the activists; are agitating for the creation of an Oduduwa nation.
While the two groups have massive followership, their positions, if not properly handled, may further divide the region, which for the time immemorial has not been speaking with the same voice.
Secession agitation
The agitation for the creation of the Oduduwa Republic started in Lagos on July 27, 2017. The move was announced by the coalition group known as Yoruba Liberation Command (YOLICOM) during a press conference held at the International Press Centre, Ogba, Lagos state.
The Spokesperson of the coalition, Mr Opeoluwa Akinola, had argued that Nigeria was slowing down the progress of the Yoruba through killing and maiming of the citizenry for selfish interests.
He alleged that Nigeria had failed to solve the challenge of peaceful coexistence and that politicians are rather in government for their selfish benefits.
He further said the widely acclaimed restructuring agenda was not sufficient and would not be an all-inclusive package in the long run.
Also at the event, the Aare Agbekoya of Yoruba land, Chief Kunle Oshodi, explained that the decision (to create the Oduduwa Republic) was long overdue; reiterating that it was well thought out after a thorough assessment of happenings in the country.
… Region also eyeing Presidency
While some Yoruba indigenes were calling for secession and the creation of Oduduwa Republic, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) had, as far back as at July, 2020, declared its readiness to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023.
To this end, the group called on the prominent Yoruba leaders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “urgently address the division among its ranks to ensure that the South-west region clinches the presidential ticket of the party.”
The Publicity Secretary, ARG in Ekiti state, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, who made the declaration at a parley with journalists, said the zone had both the human and material resources to prosecute its ambition, and asked the political leaders of the Yoruba nation to embark on consultations with a view to clinching the presidency.
Also, despite the secession agitations, the list of presidential aspirants from the zone has continued to grow. As at the last check, the South-west geo-political zone had some names including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the former Governor of Lagos state and the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Minister of Interior and the former Governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; the Chairman of the Governor’s Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi; the former Governor of Ogun state, Senate Ibikunle Amosun; and the President of the African Development Bank (AFDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; were already branded as the presidential hopefuls.
Though, none of the listed names has officially declared his intention to vie for the number one seat in the country, their supporters have been brandishing their names as the presidential hopefuls.
New twists
The South-west region appears to be sharply divided over calls for either presidential ticket or the creation of an Oduduwa Republic.
In March this year, the new entrance into the creation of an Oduduwa Republic struggle, Chief Sunday Igboho, who is now the face of the agitation, had in a video that trended on the social media, threatened to go after politicians of Yoruba extraction who were already campaigning ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“Instead of Yoruba politicians to be leading the secession struggle, they are campaigning for the next presidential election.
You should know that you are not supposed to seek election to the office of the President, you should identify with our agitation and lead us in the secession struggle,” he said.
Also on May 23, Igboho while addressing a large crowd at a rally held in Akure, Ondo state, threatened to ensure that the 2023 general elections do not hold in all the Yoruba-speaking states.
Igboho, who also demanded for the independence of a Yoruba nation, said that the Yoruba have suffered in the last six years of the present administration, arguing that the only way for the Yoruba to be safe was to secede and have an independent country.’’
His position was, however, countered by the South-west leaders who recently converged on Lagos state to chart a new course for the region.
The South West All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, including governors on the party platform, who did not mention any name, however, expressed their strong opposition to separatist agitations and hate speeches, urging those indulging in such to desist forthwith as they renewed their belief in the unity, stability and sustainability of Nigeria as a country.
Secession agitation, politically motivated
Reacting to the development, an Abuja-based Lawyer, Barrister Tope Justice Ayodele, said the agitation for the creation of the Yoruba or Oduduwa Republic was a plan b for the region and was politically motivated.
Ayodele said if the South-west region is given the presidential slot in 2023, the secession plan may be jettisoned.
“Nobody blinks first, the agitation for the Yoruba Republic now is plan b and politically motivated. The undertone is that if you can’t give us the presidential slot in 2023 with all we have done for the incumbent president then consider us out! That is the beauty of politics.
“Remember, Sunday Igboho came to the limelight on this agitation after Ladoja and Tinubu’s meeting which was highly reported by media all over the country in the beginning of this year. Who is the political godfather of Sunday Igboho?’’ Ayodele asked
As it stands, the secession agitators and the advocates of the South-west 2023 Presidency are at the loggerheads. So, who will blinks first?
