Yoruba groups fix September 7 for final decision on Nigeria’s Restructuring

The meeting scheduled to hold in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, would also address the issues bothering on the secession agitations, among others.

Chairman, Organizing Committee for the Grand Rally of the Yoruba Congress, Dr. Kunle Olajide, made the disclosure at the weekend.
In attendance were Yoruba leaders including Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Prof. Banji Akintoye, among others.
Olajide disclosed that the congress would be chaired by Chief Afe Babalola, SAN.
He said the current federal structure is lopsided in favour of the centre, saying there is the urgent need for devolution of power to the federating units.
Olajide observed, “the failure of the current system” in the high number of out-of-school children, growing population of Internally Displaced Persons, increasing poverty level, 65 per cent unemployment, among other woes currently besetting the nation
The elder statesman said the Yoruba nation fared better in the 50s and early 1960 before the incursion of the military, noting that the 1999 constitution which he said was foisted on the nation is not working.
“The Yoruba have been at the forefront of maintaining unity in this federation. We are very accommodating, we do not threaten anyone, hence we must be able to make as much progress as permitted by our talents and abilities”, he noted.

“The Yoruba as a nation is now united. We prefer to exist within a Nigeria where we are guaranteed safety and progress. We believe it is in the interest of all for this country to be reorganized in such a way that power is devolved to the federating units”.