2023 Presidency: YGC Warns S-West Aspirants Against Infiltrators.
The Yoruba Global Council (YGC), a Yoruba Diaspora – based socio-cultural organization has implored
” all presidential aspirants of the Yoruba extraction, especially those in the ruing All Progressives Congress (APC), to shy away from divisive or politics of acerbity and eschew electoral violence as the country prepares for the 2022 primaries and 2023 general polls”
The admonition is contained in a statement by the Council jointly signed by Prof. Lere Amusan,
Spokesman and Prince Segun Akanni General Secretary.
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-centeredness among those jostling for the number one seat must not be allowed to jeopardize such prospect” the body cautioned.
History it said, is replete with circumstances in which the Yoruba lost their coveted territory of Ilorin to the Fulani owing to over-ambition and egoistic attitude demonstrated by Atiba.
”It would be succinctly recalled that it was the over 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 course and interest allow history repeat itself by allowing charlatans and political contractors 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!”
In view of the aforesaid, YGC thus enjoined all Yoruba presidential aspirants, especially the APC Heavyweights, to sheath 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 the race’s 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 sense of belonging for all and sundry.
”Besides, it has been, over the years, observed that every election cycle poses potent threat to the sustainability of our nascent democracy and the democratization process. Since 1999, developments leading to each election year had been and have continued to be characterized 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” the Council mentioned.
All of these, the body registered, unnecessarily heat up the polity and create palpable fear in the minds of the electorate – a development it says, compels voters to abdicate their franchise on Election Day, hence, YGC says it ”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 Yorba race both at home and in 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 statement also mentioned.
YGC also uses the medium to appeal to all political aspirants, party leaders and critical stakeholders to play prominent role in the advocacy for peaceful, free and fair elections at both primary and general levels ahead of the 2023 general polls.
According to the body, 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.
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