Some of the elected political leaders in the Southwestern part of the country have expressed their opposition to the current agitation for Oduduwa Republic, and threby renounced and denounced the universal right to self-determination of a people.
The leaders opted for a united Nigeria that they argued must be based on equity and justice.
But whether this would involve restructuring of the federation or not they did not say.
However, they affirmed their support and commitment to the ban on open grazing as agreed in Asaba by the 17 Southern Governors.
The ban on open grazing by the Southern Governors has led to huge controversy, accusations and counter-accusations from both the Northern Governors and the Southern Governors including serving government official speaking arguably on behalf of the Northern Governors or interests.
In the ensuing controversy, the Northern Governors have neither collectively denounced open grazing, which is at the centre of the current controversy, as archaic or expressed their pokitical support for restructuring or anything.
Meanwhile, in the communique issued at the end of a meeting by the Southwest leaders in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) leaders said they would rather wish to see a country united based on justice.
But this is in sharp contrast to what a new political faction led by Professor Banji Akintoye, among others, have declared to be in the best interests of the region.
This faction believes that the right to self-determination of a people is universal and inalienable in the face of reality of oppression, injustices and an unworkable federation.
The Lagos meeting was attended by former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun OsobaGen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd), Speaker, House of Representatives Rt.Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, former Ekiti State Governor Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Pius AkinyelureH. E. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, H. E. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti StateH.E. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, H. E. Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, H. E. Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu of Lagos State andformer Inspector General of Police,(IGP) Alhaji Musiliu Smith.
The full text of the communique is published below:
“Concerned about the state of the nation particularly the serious security challenges facing the country, All Progressives Congress leaders in the South-west met in Lagos on Sunday May 24, 2021.
The meeting was characterized by open and frank discussions of the difficulties now facing Nigeria.
Based upon these deliberations, the following points of agreement were reached:
1. The Leaders commiserate with and condole the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, the military authorities, families of the Chief of Army Staff and other officers who died, and indeed the entire nation over last Friday’s tragic plane crash in Kaduna.
2. They express their strong opposition to separatist agitations and hate speeches. While urging those indulging in such to desist forthwith, they renew their belief in the unity, stability and sustainability of the country.
3. We note with significant concern the security situation in the country. Terrorism and violent criminality threaten many areas, adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of too many innocent and peace-loving Nigerians. While mindful of the resource and other constraints facing the nation, we urge the federal government to continue to make the necessary expenditures and allocate sufficient resources to enable the military and security agencies to tackle the difficult security challenges confronting us.
4. For Nigeria to overcome these challenges, we must do so with unity of purpose and action. The desire for peace and the chance for a prosperous and just society is universal and transcends all regional, religious or ethnic divisions. Sadly, many public figures have made statements that spark division and undermine the needed unity of purpose. We urge government at all levels, security agencies, and public leaders across the country to do everything possible to prevent tension so that we sustain the necessary unity to defeat these challenges to our national security. All responsible Nigerians must speak and act in a manner that strengthens our common cause against these common threats to our collective peace, justice and development.
5. We restate our abhorrence of violence as a means to achieve either political or economic power and influence. We strongly condemn violence of any form in any part of the country, regardless of ethnic or regional identity of the perpetrators of the violence or of the victims. Government must do all it can to protect potential victims and to assist those who have previously been victimized by terrorism or widespread banditry.
6. We hold to the view that true federalism where more power and resources are allocated to the states will be an essential part in strengthening society and improving democratic governance so that we beat the present challenges but also engender durable peace and security. True federalism and the reallocation of resources and authority that comes with it will empower the states to solve localized issues before they spread and transform into national ones. In addition to mitigating political competition for control of the national government, greater federalism will empower grassroots economic development and political reforms that will stand as bulwarks against the terrorism and criminality now experienced in too many parts of the nation. A hallmark of this enhanced federalism will be the establishment of state police forces.
7. We endorse the position of the Southern Governors taken at their May 11, 2021 summit in Asaba, Delta State, regarding ranching. We do so because such a decision will lessen tensions between farmers and herders while also helping the long-term economic viability of both the farming and herding communities. We are mindful of the short-term dislocation this might cause but are also mindful that this position is in the best interests of all parties concerned. We, therefore, recommend that the federal and state governments cooperate fully with each other to enact the necessary measures to encourage this more effective and modern method of cattle-rearing so that both farmers and herders can pursue their livelihoods with greater productivity and in a more cooperative relationship that minimizes the friction between these two important pillars of our agricultural economy.
8. We also thank traditional rulers for their important role in the polity and appeal to them to keep intervening to maintain peace and stability.
9. And finally, we use the opportunity of the meeting to urge the Federal Government to provide, through the CBN, short, medium and long term financing for states and those who may wish to set up ranches as part of the agricultural sustainability policy”.
Southwest Political Leaders Oppose Oodua Republic, Affirm Ban On Open Grazing
