The Yoruba Global Council (YGC) has enjoined all presidential aspirants of the Yoruba extraction, especially those in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to avoid divisive or acerbic politics and eschew electoral violence as the country prepares for the 2022 primaries and 2023 general polls.
The group said this in a statement jointly signed by its spokesman, Prof. Lere Amusan, and the general secretary, Prince Segun Akanni.
The Yoruba Global Council (YGC), a foremost and prestigious Yoruba diaspora-based socio-cultural organisation, was established to advance the course and interest of the Yoruba nation through the promotion of unity, mutual trust, trade liberalisation, co-existence, and interactions with other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and the diaspora.
The statement reads: “We seek to use this medium to send a strong admonishment to all presidential aspirants of the Yoruba extraction, especially those in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to avoid away from divisive politics or politics of acerbity and eschew electoral violence as the country prepares for the 2022 primaries and 2023 general polls.
“To put issues in proper perspective, YGC warns all Yoruba presidential aspirants, particularly those in APC, such as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the incumbent Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Pastor Tunde Bakare, to be circumspect in the way and manner they go about their political ambition.
“They need to, at this momentous time of our history, resist the game plan of the fifth columnists and foes of the Yoruba nation who are bent on taking the presidency away from the Yoruba come 2023. YGC believes that 2023 presents another golden opportunity for the Yoruba to produce the next President for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and divisive politicking or politics of ego and self-centredness among those jostling for the number one seat must not be allowed to jeopardise such a prospect.
“History is replete with circumstances in which the Yoruba lost their coveted territory of Ilorin to the Fulani owing to over-ambition and egoistic attitudes demonstrated by Atiba. It would be succinctly recalled that it was the ambition of Atiba to become the Alaafin, at the expense of his brother, Alaafin Oluewu, that led to the painful loss of Ilorin to the Fulani today. Another trait of disunity played out during the June 12 struggle in which prominent Yoruba sons and leaders left Chief MKO Abiola in the lurch, thereby making the race lose the most exalted seat in the land. Must the Yoruba presidential aspirants and committed stakeholders to the Yoruba cause and interest allow history to repeat itself by allowing charlatans and political contractors to infiltrate their camps and lead them to perdition? YGC says categorical NO to the ploy and Machiavellian scheme of the adversaries of the Yoruba nation this time around!
“Given the aforesaid, YGC enjoins all Yoruba presidential aspirants, especially the APC heavyweights, to sheathe their swords, come together, play ball and find a common ground through which a credible, reliable, responsible and capable Yoruba son will be fielded to represent our collective interest and aspirations as well as those of the larger federation – Nigeria. YGC is not in any way averse to the idea of one federated Nigeria, but on the proviso that such a federation is built upon egalitarianism, justice, equity, inclusiveness and a sense of belonging for all sundry.
“Besides, it has been, over the years, observed that every election cycle poses a potent threat to the sustainability of our nascent democracy and the democratisation process. Since 1999, developments leading to each election year have been and continue to be characterised by political assassination, brigandage, hate speech, gruesome abduction, grandstanding, implosion occasioned by lack of internal democracy (especially after party primaries) and anti-party activities, among other encumbrances.
“All of these unnecessarily heat the polity and create palpable fear in the minds of the electorate – a development that compels them (voters) to abdicate their franchise on Election Day. YGC unequivocally decries these dangerous preludes to our elections and canvases for a quick change of the obnoxious narratives.
“Based on the foregoing and in line with our mandate and unassailable commitment to advancing the collective interest of the Yoruba race both at home and in the diaspora and in fostering peaceful co-existence, we reiterate our warning by calling on all illustrious sons and daughters of the Yoruba nation – seeking the presidency to embrace unity and a sense of political camaraderie by according Yoruba interest premium priority ahead of personal ambition.
The group also appealed to all political aspirants, party leaders and critical stakeholders to play a prominent role in the advocacy for peaceful, free and fair elections at both primary and general levels ahead of the 2023 general polls.
“Democracy can only thrive when all stakeholders eschew all forms of electoral violence but seek to embrace peace in all its ramifications before, during and after the 2023 general elections. Elections will come and go, but the indivisibility of the nation and its people’s unity must remain intact. It is to this end that we crave the indulgence of all players and gladiators in the electoral arena to support our advocacy for peace by contributing to the creation of a secure and peaceful atmosphere that guarantees the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections, especially in Yorubaland and indeed, Nigeria, come 2023,” the group said.
“We are utterly aware of the qualities possessed by each of the Yoruba presidential aspirants that have declared their interest to run, and we repose sheer confidence in their sense of leadership, charisma, capacity, responsibility, diligence and commitment toward a better Nigeria and Yoruba nation, but not everyone of you can be president at the same time. Hence, a common ground must be sought and worked upon, which will bring to the fore the most capable, reliable and trustworthy Yoruba candidate for the presidency.
“In keeping the peace and jettisoning electoral violence, all players and critical stakeholders must again work assiduously in ensuring their campaign trains and parties’ supporters keep to the rules of the game (as enshrined in the Electoral Act) and report the activities of any unscrupulous elements that may wish to thwart the process to the law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.”
The group then expressed optimism that “it is Yoruba time and moment to produce the next president for the country going forward, and all efforts to torpedo that dream by enemies of the race by pitching one Yoruba aspirant against the other will be fought with every resource at its disposal.”
YGC recognised peace as one of the critical ingredients that would guarantee the successful conduct of the 2023 primary and general elections.
