The Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, has said Yoruba nation will not opt out of Nigeria if the current democratic dispensation fails, regardless of the cause.
The group revealed its position at the end of a social discourse it organised to “sensitise and mobilise Yoruba voters” for the forthcoming general elections.
In a communiqué signed by Olawale Oshun, the group’s national chairman, the ARG said, “Yoruba people would wish, as we are now, to be part of a democratic, well-governed and truly federal Nigeria, in all intents and purposes.”
“However, we warn that if for any reason, Nigeria were schemed to become a banana and undemocratic republic, with the muzzling of its democratic institutions as demonstrated by this poll shift, and/or if Nigeria were to be divided in any manner, we would as a people opt out to become a democratic nation as would be acceptable by our people.”
This warning, Oshun said, is a response to “suspicious sinister motives” which led to the postponement of the general elections. Oshun added that, the recent election shift is certainly not just about elections.
He said the group suspects that the postponement is about something more sinister, “the first being that it might be grounds to prepare a soft surface for a sympathetic group within the Armed Forces to take over the reins of power, since in character and content there is little to distinguish the present rudderless government from the one that ruled in the Second Republic between 1979 and 1983.”
The communique also read that, “Also, anyone who is thinking that the balkanization of the country on the premises of North and South could be a way out should better think deeply. The Yoruba people would not be part of any such balkanized unit; it is definitely not one we would demand as a change.”
“The change Yoruba people want and will vote for is good governance that guarantees freedom for all and life more abundant, one that secures our desire to develop our God-given potentials at our own pace as a people.”
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