The second edition of the Yoruba summit in Akure, the Ondo State capital, with the theme “Economic Downturn and Unemployment in Yorubaland”, has culminated into a call on President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the 2014 National Conference report as is only instrument that can bring peace and progress to the nation.
The call was made by the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko, and some other prominent Yoruba leaders of the ethnic group, stressing that Buhari’s anti-corruption war would not resolve Nigeria’s challenges until the federation is restructured, The Nation reports. It was reported that after the meeting, the leaders came up with a communiqué which was signed by four of the leaders. They noted that the reason why the issue of corruption and the separatist agitation would be solved is if the federal government can look into the Confab report and implement its recommendation.
From the communiqué, the leaders said: “We should not watch till the situation gets out of hand nor take precipitate actions. “The Confab recommendations offer a good template for such engagement of the nationality question. “To this end, this summit is irrevocably committed to pushing for the resolution of the lingering national question via the restructuring of our federation, devolution of the corresponding review of the revenue allocation in favour of the federating units and centralisation of the security network.”
Earlier in his address, Governor Mimiko said: “Recent events have shown us that those centrifugal forces that had continually threatened our national unity and cohesion are not fatigued. “Multiculturalism, which the rest of the world has turned to strength, remains a major challenge to Nigeria. Diversity has become a bitter pill, which the country is constantly forced to swallow when the rest of the world has used same as a launch pad into greatness. “Today, almost everything keeps separating us. Language has divided us, religion has torn us apart and culture has alienated us. Yet, these could be sources of strength and cohesion.
“Unfortunately, we may remain in this miasma for as long as we deny the need for us to redesign the federation. “A great piece of document remains on the table if the federal government will find the courage to implement it. I have in mind here the Report of the 2014 National Conference.
“That Conference, Nigerians had an uncommon opportunity to discuss their collective future.” Present at the summit were the Afenifere leader Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi (rtd), Amb Yemi Farohunbi, Otunba Gani Adams and Sehinde Arogbofa.
Others were Gen. Raji Rasaki (Rtd), Sir Olanihun Ajayi, Yinka Odumakin, representative of the Yoruba Council of Elders, General Adeyinka Adebayo, Kunle Olajide and Chief Adegboye Onigbinde. Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council has declared its full support for President Buhari in his anti-corruption war.