By Razaq Bamidele
A coalition of Yoruba Self-Determination Group (COSEG), has thrown its weight behind Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), of Ondo State over his recent quit notice handed down to the Fulani herders to vacate the Government Forest Reserves within seven days, observing that the exchange of words between the Presidency and the Governor was unhealthy and uncalled for.
A statement from the group, jointly signed by, Comrades Rasaq Olokoba (Convener), Akin Abosanyin (Secretary), and Wale Balogun (Political Secretary), stressed the need for a National Referendum to decide the fate of the country now, warning that, “if Nigeria cannot be restructured to address the imbalance and overbearing influence of the central government in the polity, we wish to state that Nigeria can be dissolved peacefully to ensure peace in the West African sub-region!”
The statement reads:
“We, in the Coalition of Yoruba Self-Determination Group (COSEG), the foremost coalition of Yoruba self-determination organization has lent our voice to the on-going exchange of words between the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and President Muhammadu Buhari through the presidential spokesman Garba Shehu on the propriety or not for Fulani herdsmen to leave Ondo state Forest Reserves within a given 7-day ultimatum. We view this raging feud at this point in Nigeria history as unhealthy and totally uncalled for.
“The killer Fulani herdsmen declared by the international community as the 4th most dangerous terror group has been fingered as the masterminds of kidnapping, destruction of farmsteads, raping, maiming and killing of farmers in the Southern part of Nigeria particularly the South-West geopolitical zone. The incessant killings by the terror group though not acknowledged as such by the federal government of Nigeria was ordered out of Ondo state Forest Reserves by the State Governor, a move challenged by the presidency and declared as unconstitutional.
“However, political pundits, several well-meaning Nigerians and groups have thrown their weight behind the just order of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), an order said to be an irresponsible demand and a call to arms by a faceless group, the Fulani Nationalist movement (FUNAM).
“COSEG views the ranting and reckless reference made by FUNAM to Governor Akeredolu as not only insulting but equally provocative. We believe a counter order to herdsmen by FUNAM was encouraged by the counter directive by President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
“We have always stated that the lopsided nature and pseudo-Federal structure of Nigeria will breed no good as the federal government of Nigeria is in the habit of treating the second tier of government – the States of the federation as her vassals. The failure to restructure the Nigerian state to reflect a genuine federal union has been further exposed by the lawless counter-productive order of FUNAM.
“COSEG not only supports governor Akeredolu’s order that the herdsmen should leave the Forest Reserves in his well informed and constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of the Ondo state people he was elected to serve, but we call on every Yoruba son and daughter to support Akeredolu. We are prepared to mobilize all resources at making sure that ultimatum is respected by every legitimate means.
“If Nigeria cannot be restructured to address the imbalance and overbearing influence of the central government in the polity, we wish to state that Nigeria can be dissolved peacefully to ensure peace in the West African sub-region.
“COSEG wish to state with all sense of historical responsibility that there is no guarantee of prosperity if Nigeria is not restructured. It then becomes very necessary to have a National Referendum to decide the continuous existence of the multi-faceted crises ridden the country.”
Concluding, the group believed that, “if Britain can exit the European Union, we have the liberty to also decide our fate in Nigeria!” warning FUNAM and others beating drums of war that, “the Yoruba are prepared now more than ever before to defend and protect our land from any bloodthirsty expansionists.”
