Seek true federalism, fewer political appointees
Yoruba leaders lament zone's loss of Speaker's slot
Ajibola, Fasehun warn against killings
FOR the nation to enjoy true federalism, security and a robust economy that guarantees equitable distribution of wealth, the 1999 constitution must be replaced with a better one.
This was the stance of senators from the South West geo-political zone who met in Lagos yesterday.
Also, Yoruba elders under the aegis of Yoruba Unity Forum met in Ikenne, Ogun State country home of the late political leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to deliberate on the affairs of the nation.
The meeting which was presided over by the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief Hanna Idowu Dideolu Awolowo was attended by Fredrick Fasehun, Senator Femi Okunronmu, Adedapo Aderemi, Bola Ajibola, Gen. Oladipo Diya, Koforola Bucknor Akerele. The rest were Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Alhaji Lateef Arapaja and Senator Tony Adefuye.
The meeting called on President Goodluck Jonathan to as a matter of urgency ensure that the Yoruba nation occupies its rightful position in the political hierarchy of the country. This, they reasoned would give the race a sense of belonging in the country.
A statement issued at the end of the meeting decried a situation where the Yoruba race was "completely schemed out of top political positions" in the Jonathan administration and urged the president to "remember that the race voted for him and not his party."
Making a veil reference to the loss of the Speakership of the House of Representatives by the Yoruba race, the forum lamented the role played by some politicians from the South West which according to them assisted the new Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal to assume that position.
The forum also condemned a newspaper article where the late Awolowo's immediate and political families "were humiliated", describing it as an "attempt to desecrate the cherished heritage of the Yoruba people."
The meeting considered the said publication as "offensive and irritating" and called on the columnist and "whoever may be his sponsor to tender an unreserved apology to the Yoruba and Awolowo's family in particular."
The forum also reviewed the post-election killings in some parts of the North where 10 youth corps members lost their lives, warning that the killing of Yoruba anywhere in the country must stop.
Ajibola, former Attorney General, narrated how the Yoruba people living in Jos, were killed, saying: "As the chairman of panel of enquiry in Jos I can confirm that Yoruba people were subjected to a lot of suffering.
"They were dealt with. Lives were wasted, millions of naira were lost. In fact, we saw how they beheaded them before hanging their heads on the trees. I appeal to the people to come to their rescue."
Fasehun said: " I don't want us to warn them. We have sent a signal to them , if they don't desist, it will cost them. We are not begging them , the killing is not only in Jos, it happened in Maiduguri, Katsina, Kano and Bauchi states.
" There is a group on standby to respond to the attack. O.P.C will respond to them, if they are not enough we will reinforce them," Fasehun said.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Senator Femi Okunronmu expressed satisfaction with the attendance at the meeting, saying that it showed the readiness of the Yoruba leaders to foster the desired unity among the Yoruba people, irrespective of their political party affiliations.
On his part, Senator Tony Adefuye disclosed that Yoruba leadership "is not vacant", stressing that "Mama H.I.D Awolowo is our leader and she is performing the role effectively."
None of the South West governors, both serving and past ones attended the over four hours meeting held at the private residence of the Awolowos.
Addressing the press after its inaugural meeting, the forum of South West senators said what the country was referring to as federalism was actually a unitary system of government and called for a reduction in the number of political appointees at the three tiers of government.
In a statement issued at the end of its meeting and read by its Publicity Secretary, Senator Sunday Fajinmi, the forum said there were noticeable lapses in the 1999 Constitution, which required urgent attention. They pointed specifically at the issue of federalism, linking it to the problem confronting the nation in the areas of security and distribution of the nation's wealth.
On the reported cases of restiveness among the youth in the northern parts of the country, especially the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram, the forum attributed it to increasing rate of poverty, adding that if the situation remained unchecked, similar groups might emerge from other geo-political zones.
Also, it carpeted the existing administration in the country over its alleged poor disposition to capital projects that would benefit the people, and noted that a larger percentage of the nation's annual budget was expended on recurrent expenditure, thereby making capital projects' development impossible.
According to the senators, "the growing list of political appointees at all the tiers of government is becoming worrisome." The forum, therefore, advised President Goodluck Jonathan to trim the number and channel the resources to developmental projects.
As an antidote to the prevailing parlous economic situation, the forum advised the government to invest in agriculture, describing it as means to generate employment for the youths. The forum added that if the teeming youths were gainfully employed, cases of restiveness would reduce.
They also called for the involvement of the members of the forum in policy-making, adding that the role of the National Assembly was pertinent to the development of democracy. Also, their contribution would assist in resolving the insecurity in the country.
Present at the meeting were: Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, Otunba Olabiyi Durojaiye, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Senator Peter Adeyemo, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo and Senator Omololu Samuel Meroyi.
Others were Senator Lawrence Ayo, Senator Titus Olupitan, Senator Bode Olowoporoku, Senator Ayo Ade Oni and Senator Sunday Fajinmi.
The Guardian