Restructuring: Fayose Slams Obasanjo As Yoruba Leaders Adopt ‘Ibadan Declaration’

As South West leaders on Thursday adopted the ‘Ibadan Declaration,’ Governor Ayodele Fayose has slammed ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and other Yoruba leaders for rejecting restructuring.

The WHISTLER recalls that former president Obasanjo had recently downplayed the agitations for restructuring of the country, saying “our mentality” as Nigerians is what needs to be restructured.

“I cannot be part of it,” the former president had said in an interview with Channels Television.

But Governor Fayose of Ekiti state, in an apparent reaction to Obasanjo’s statement, said Yoruba leaders are some of the major problems the South West region is faced with.

“They want us to talk about the truth or lies. But we will say the truth. They can throw the words away, but they can’t throw us away. Our fathers, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ladoke Akintola and other Yoruba leaders, tried their best for us.

“But you elders of Yoruba are the problem we have. We are our problems. We’ve had good meetings like this one, attended by elders and kings of Yoruba.

“After this summit, you will see some so-called Yoruba leaders saying on television ‘we don’t need restructuring.’ To me, those words do not make sense. There is no alternative; we will go back to regions,” said Fayose.

The Yoruba Summit, tagged “The Yoruba Standpoint” had held at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, in Ibadan.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Eniitan Ogunwusi, was among prominent Nigerians who attended the summit.

Others were Aare Afe Babalola, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Dr. Olu Olajide, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Dr. Tokunbo Ajasin, Sen. Ike Nwachukwu; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae; and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Chief Osinbogun, Otunba Gani Adams, Chief Ade Ojo and others.