Politics
By Paul Ukpabio
THE Yoruba Global Alliance, YG, has called on all Yoruba people to demand quality representation from their elected leaders in government. The Group which is led by Amos Akingba, an emeritus Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Ondo State University of Science & Technology, made the call in a statement issued at the end of its January council meeting, which was chaired by Tola Adeniyi, the group’s Council Chairman.
In a signed statement by Professor Anthony Kila, the group made an appeal to Yoruba people at home and abroad to be conscious of the role of elected officials in a democracy, as they are the first port of call for issues regarding public affairs.
“There is no doubt that Yoruba people generally feel unsecured, unserved and shackled in Nigeria as it stands today, but rather than get just emotional or desperate about things, YG calls for a deliberate approach, which starts from holding accountable those elected, nominated, charged and paid to represent Yoruba people and interest. We must start by lodging our complaints and comments from those elected in the name of and on behalf of Yoruba people. We must ask our representatives, who went to Abuja in the name of Yoruba people, what they are doing or thinking when they get to the Nigerian table, but keep quiet when Abuja passes laws, proposes policies and makes utterances that do not stand well with Yoruba people,” the statement said.
The statement pointed out to the Yoruba people home and abroad, that they do have a common enemy, and as a people, their greatest danger does not come from outside, but from inside, and more specifically, it comes from those charged with protecting the Yoruba people, land, interest and culture, but refuse to do their duty either out of fear, ignorance or collusion.
The group thus demanded that all elected and nominated officials go back to their immediate constituencies to make statement of their position on security in Yorubaland, welfare of Yoruba People and listen to the views of the people.
The group also advised all Yoruba politicians, from Local Government level to the highest offices, to be ready to give account of their positions and stewardship on all issues and to learn to guide their actions and utterances using the principle ‘Yoruba People are watching and will ask questions.’
Another highpoint of the meeting, according to the statement, was the announcement by the group’s Chancellor of Tradition and Spirituality, Solagbade Popoola that YG will soon make public days of prayers for Yoruba people across the world.
Popoola also noted that there is an attempt by some reckless political leaders to divide Yoruba people along religious lines. And such division, the eminent Yoruba leaders have observed is alien to Yoruba practices and principles and should be rejected by all.
BBC Sport
– Jan. 29, 2021 @ 14:39 GMT |
Tags: demand accountability from elected leaders Yoruba leaders meet
