The Sun

Yoruba leaders bury hatchet, chart new cause

By RAZAQ BAMIDELEWednesday, November 7, 2007

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital played host recently to who is who in Yoruba nation who converged at the ancient city to put an end to internal hostility and chart a new cause for the race specifically known and respected for being progressive in nature and civilized in their approach to issues.

Between Friday, October 26 and Sunday, October 28, all the warring factions and feuding leaders of Yoruba under the aegis of the famous Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural, economic and political group, Afenifere chose the serenity of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), as the venue to settle the crisis that has rocked the race to its very foundation.

Crisis of confidence

Four years ago or there about, the crisis of confidence was noticed in the once cohesive group when the leader of the group, Senator Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya suddenly took ill and there was a need for a worthy deputy to hold the race together pending his recovery.

The choice of a deputy aggravated the in-fighting within the group between those who wanted Afenifere to be separated from the group’s political platform, the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and those who insisted that AD and Afenifere were inseparable siamese twins.

While an attempt to mend the crack led to the emergence of Pa Reuben Fasoranti as the acting leader of Afenifere, from a faction of the group, some other members of the group also threw up Senator Ayo Fasanmi as the deputy leader of Afenifere thus polarizing the group into two parallel factions.

AD connection

As the feud deepened between the two factions, the Alliance for Democracy was not spared as it was also factionalized. While the former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande was elected AD national chairman by a faction of mostly the youthful elements within the group, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa was pushed forward as another factional national chairman of the party by another group.
And since then, the Afenifere case could be likened to a situation where a restless fowl perches precariously on a rope.

The group was, to say the least, in disarray. Things virtually fell apart within the race and its center just refused to hold. This also affected the political fortune of the race adversely and it started to sink into socio-economic and political abyss.

The youths within the fold were accusing the elders of sit tight syndrome while the elders were also alleging that the youths were over ambitious and disrespectful to the elders.

Back to drawing board

When the trend was becoming worrisome and disturbingly unrewarding to both sides, some of the younger elements within the group decided to put an end to the dangerous development that had been doing none of the feuding parties any good.

So, according to the leader of the group, a former House of Representatives member and the author of a book – Clapping With One Hand, Honourable Olawale Oshun, Yoruba had “uncharacteristically allowed their basic values, culture and norms to be buffeted by forces that seem to be beyond control.”

And because of “catalogue of reversals that had afflicted the race through the avoidable feud” the youth decided to take the bull by the horn to bring together all parties involved to iron out their differences eye ball to eye ball.

The retreat

So, a 3-day retreat was organized at the IITA to settle the crisis and chart a way forward for the Yoruba nation on all front, culturally, educationally, economically, socially and politically.

IITA, according to Oshun was chosen for the Yoruba to realize what they have lost in value saying “this is the kind of projects we were cut out for by our Creator which lack of understanding has robbed us of. It is to show what we should have had as a Yoruba nation all over the place.”
The retreat appeared to have served the purpose it intended to serve as those concerned were present to state their own side of the matter.

Attendance

Present on the side of the elders were the acting leader of Afenifere Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the group’s deputy leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi and his wife, APP/AD-joint presidential candidate in 1999 and current national chairman of the Democratic Peoples Alliance, (DPA), Chief Olu Falae, Chief Awolowo’s close associates, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, former governor of Osun State and current national chairman of the Action Congress, (AC), Chief Bisi Akande, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, former secretary to Oyo State government, Chief Michael Koleoso, former Ambassador to Germany, Professor Jide Osuntokun, National Secretary of Afenifere Senator Femi Okunronmu; NADECO chieftain Lt-General Alani Akinrinade (rtd) and former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sefiu Gbenga Kaka.

Also in attendance were leaders of Yoruba in the academic circle like Professor Akinwunmi Ishola, Professor Adebayo Williams, Professor Ropo Sekoni, former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Professor Wale Omole, Dr Wale Adebanwi, Professor Mobolaji Aluko and Dr Amos Akingba.

On the side of the younger generation were the Retreat Committee Chairman, Hon. Wale Oshun, former Executive Assistant to Chief Bisi Akande, on Media Mr Ayo Afolabi who was the retreat secretary, Afenifere National Publicity Secretary and the Retreat’s spokesman Mr Yinka Odumakin, Lagos DPA gubernatorial candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje (JAY KAY), Ekiti State AC governorship candidate and his deputy, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Mrs Funmi Olayinka respectively. Former Media Assistant to former Governor Segun Osoba of Ogun State, Alhaji Sola Lawal and AC leader in Ekiti House of Assembly, Barrister Funminiyi Afuye were also in attendance. The Osun State Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, Rauf Aregbesola was at the closing ceremony.

Others were the son of late Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, Mr Muyiwa Ige, late Chief Michael Ajasin’s siblings Chief Tokunbo Ajasin and Mrs Jumoke Anifowose (Nee Ajasin), Lagos DPA Chairman, Chief Supo Sonibare, AC senatorial candidate in Ogun State, Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi, talented motivational speaker Mr Niyi Adesanya, daughter of the late activist, Mr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Mrs Nike Ledun and Miss Yetunde Sekoni among others.

The vision

Setting the ball of the retreat rolling was a University of Ibadan don, Dr Wale Adebanwi who presented the first paper titled Yoruba vision.

In the highly researched paper, the concerned don regretted that a race that was known and respected for being highly progressive over the years has been badly disunited stressing that some fundamentally wrong issues must be corrected to chart a way forward.

According to him: “Yoruba who are known for good ideas and ideals had found themselves in a terrible situation today where they could not speak with one voice any longer and therefore make their development and progress lamentably retarded.”

On what to be done, Adebanwi declared emphatically that, “Afenifere must be revived in spirit and in action” stating unequivocally that to achieve this “there must be reconciliation, reorganisation, focused leadership strategic planning, wide consultation as well as national conference.”

Reconciliation

At this juncture, the chairman of the session, Professor Akinwunmi Ishola expressed apprehension saying; “we have a very serious matter on our hand.”

His apprehension must have been premised around the fact that the warring factions present at the retreat might not be prepared to sheath their swords having been at dagger drawn for this while. The erudite scholar however tested the water by asking some of the feuding leaders to say some few words.

Setting the tone of reconciliation was the acting leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti who assured the august gathering that the leaders were ready for amicable settlement of the festering crisis.

His words: “Attempts are already being made to settle the crisis. We have held a few meetings, about 12 meetings in all. And during the meetings, one usually wondered why we are quarreling. I think it is an ego issue.

“We meet ourselves and we embrace. Something is dividing us but we don’t know what it is. My conviction is that something fundamental is wrong. Awo used to think ahead and set the pace. When he left, some people thought they know so much.

“Then economic problem and over ambition are part of the problem. Some of us were anxious to get to power but when they got there what have they done?” Fasoranti stated assuring that “Yoruba will speak with one voice again.”

The sigh of relief heaved across the hall was an indication that the retreat would work wonders, more so, when his friend and Deputy Leader of Afenifere, Senator Ayo Fasanmi echoed the same line in his own speech.

Hear him: “When I saw all my friends here, I was confident that the crisis is over. With this, we should be ashamed of ourselves if we cannot settle the crisis here.

“This is the beginning of many great things to happen in Nigeria. I can assure this august gathering that we will settle our differences.”

The ovation that greeted the submission of the two elderly disciples of Awolowo hardly died down when two other disciples of Awo reinforced their submissions to the admiration of the ecstatic audience.”

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi was of the view that “What divided us was nothing that was useful to the Yoruba” wondering, however “whether it was useful to few individuals.”

While appealing to the youths to respect the elders, he also appealed to the elders to serve as role models to the youth just as he harped on justice, fairness and equity which he said were in line with Yoruba culture and tradition.

“Let it be bye to rebellion because it is not good for any group or individuals and it is also a sin against God.”

Chief Ayo Adebanjo on his own made it abundantly clear that the crisis benefited only the Yoruba enemies who he said were always feeling threatened whenever Yoruba unite.

He, however, urged the younger generation to always carry the elders along in their activities so as to benefit from the experiences of the elders.

General Alani Akinrinade, Chief Olu Falae and Chief Bisi Akande who also spoke in the same vein stressed the need to reach out through consultations so as to have a larger and united house.

To Falae, ‘the crisis is weakening us’ reminding that ‘our strength is our unity’, “Whenever we speak with one voice, it always send shivers to the spines of our enemies,” he asserted.

He regretted that Yoruba had wasted precious time and opportunities over the crisis saying “there are serious businesses before us.

“Our unity is a threat to our enemies. With unity amongst us, Yoruba nation is just a step ahead. When we are in crisis, our enemies always feel happy” he submitted expressing preparedness to abide by the outcome of the retreat.

A motivational speaker, Niyi Adesanya however blamed the crisis on the lack of succession formula within the fold saying; “there is need for catch them young system in the fold” just as he appealed to the elders to serve as mentors for the struggling youth on the streets.

Way forward

Although former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was roundly condemned for using his eight years misadventure in Aso Rock to deal a fatal blow on Yoruba unity, they unanimously agreed to treat him as just an incident in history and move forward.

While charting a way forward, several papers were presented on almost all the spheres of human endeavour from politics, economy, business, governance and leadership to education and culture Yoruba integration (home and Diaspora) as well as constitutional review and restructuring of the polity.

In his own paper titled: Education and culture, former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Wale Omole recommended establishment of Yoruba Academy that, “will ensure renaissance of our culture, captures the soul of our youth and re-establish the pride in our race.”

The university don who blamed the lost glory of Yoruba on the activities of the missionaries informed that “the western education they brought to us did well for only themselves and made us their permanent slaves.”

He lamented that through western education, Yoruba have lost their language and culture which he described as the only bond that always unites social groups.

Diaspora connection

Two lecturers, Professor Ropo Sekoni of the Department of African Studies, Lincoln University and Professor Mobolaji Aluko of the Department of Chemical engineering, Howard University both in the United State of America presented a joint paper titled: Towards Economic Development of Yorubaland:

Linkage and integration with the Diaspora.

In the paper, the duo called for a master plan of action for development of Yorubaland as well as “a direct engagement of old and modern diaspora for maximum mutual benefits in line with true Awo spirit.”

The true Awo spirit, according to them has to do with “collective leadership corps with integrity, focus and honesty of purpose using the best Yoruba minds and friends.”

They advised that anybody who wanted to improve the economy of Yoruba nation should just go ahead and not wait for permission.

Implementation committees

While a number of committees were set up at the end of the 3-day retreat to implement the recommendations of various papers presented, a legal practitioner and Action Congress (AC) senatorial candidate in Ogun State in the last April election, Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi reminded them of the importance of restructuring of the polity to make their work easier.

According to him, Awolowo succeeded in all his welfarist programmes because they were implemented within a zonal framework saying restructuring was vital to execution of Yoruba agenda.

The vibrant lawyer cum politician however advised the committees to always feel free to consult a working document produced by PRONACO for guidance whenever the need arises for document consultation.

As the spokesman of the retreat and the National Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, who was the Master of Ceremony was bidding the distinguished guests and members of the group farewell after the eventful retreat, nobody was left in doubt that, at least, a foundation for reuniting Yoruba sons and daughters, both at home and abroad had been laid.

Hugging, back-slapping and pumping of hands were the order of the day as the guests departed and drove out of the serenity of the IITA, the venue of the retreat.