2023: Pan Yoruba Groups Brainstorm, List Ethnic Conflicts, Violence As Threat To Peaceful Poll

By Akinwale Kasali

…Group Set To Conduct  South West Opinion Poll On Presidential Aspirants

By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2023 Presidential Election draws closer, several Pan Yoruba groups have met in Lagos to brainstorm on how to ensure that the ordinary people of the South West determine the future of elections in the region.

The coalition under different Groups which adopted the name, Alliance of Pan Yoruba Democratic Movements, APYDM, said that ethnic conflict, violence and the national question are critical issues that must be resolved if elections are to be meaningful and impactful in Nigeria.

It added that it will soon launch an opinion poll across the South West including Kwara and Kogi State to feel the pulse of the people on Presidential aspirants in the context of the future of democracy and elections in the region.

APYDM decried the attacks on Yoruba territories by armed groups, the latest being the violence visited on Molege and Arimogija in Ose Local Government area of Ondo State by armed herdsmen.

The 57 Pan Yoruba and Civil Society groups earlier met in Lagos last week where it resolved that any election in Yoruba territory should be about the resolution of the National Question and release of political detainees and nothing more.

The  groups which was made up of artisans and Pan Yoruba groups, civil society, workers, have now increased to 84 as more groups enlist in the Coalition which focal point is the old Western Region including Edo, Delta and also Kwara and Kogi States.

The group said any Presidential aspirant from the South West will receive the support of the people if the focal point of the election is to resolve the lingering National Question without which credible future elections and sustainable developments are impossible.

In a statement after its meeting in Lagos, signed by the General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi, the Group said many Yoruba people are tired of elections that have failed to address the fears and aspirations of the long suffering people.

‘‘Election has become a private political affair and no longer about the people. Voting is now more about members of political parties and not about the people. Democracy is gradually becoming government of the political parties, by the political parties and for members of the political parties. This must change. The people must seize their destiny with both hands.”

Popoola, on behalf of the Group, said it is aware of various tendencies in the old Western Region, including those who want a break-up  of the country and those who want the election not to hold at all. The Alliance said the demand for a break up of Nigeria by some ethnic groups is based on long standing injustice, corruption, skewed appointments,  anti-people constitution, and the rise in terrorism that appears to be supported by some people in power.

It said if elections must hold in Yoruba territories, the people should be the deciding factor, not money, or sharing of material inducements which destroys the moral fabric of the nation.

“ We are preparing to mobilise Yoruba people, the poor, the middle class, the haves and have-nots, artisans, market men and women, deprived and the privileged so that real democratic power will be in the hands of the people. Democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people. It means the majority must have their say and they must have their way not a tiny cabal.”

It has, however, set up Committees to meet with Groups and associations in the five geo-political zones to work out a trans-regional alliance. The meeting also elected Mr Adewale Adeoye, a Journalist,as the Chairman.

Among those who attended the meeting were representatives of  Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, (NATA) represented by the National General Secretary,  with some 7 million members in the South West alone, ANNACOWA (the association of Okada Riders in the South West) , represented by the Chairman, Mr Ade Ikuesan who is also the Secretary General, Okada Riders Association of Nigeria, , Oodua Nationalist Coalition, (ONAC), Agbekoya represented by Chief Kunle Oshodi.

Others are;  Apapo Oodua Koya, (AOKOYA), Oodua Peoples Congress,(New Era) led by Alhaji Rasaq Arogundade,

South West Farmers Coopeative  South West Women Congress, (SWOG), Coalition of Oodua Student Associations (COSA), Covenant Group, (CG), Network for Yoruba Alliance, (NEYA), Oodua International Democratic Movement, (OIDEM), Ikale Peoples Coalition, (IPC), Edo Peoples Alliance, (EPA), Network of Itsekiri Unions, Oodua Hunters Union, (OHUN), Oodua Peoples Congress, (OPC Reformed) led by Alhaji Taofik Adeyemi, Liberty Movement, South West Progressive Peoples Movement, (SWPPM), South West Professionals, (SOWPROF), representatives of Yoruba communities in the North and some West African countries among many others.