Prominent leaders of Yoruba race under the auspices of Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative have called on the Federal Government to earnestly begin the process of implementing the 2014 National Conference report before 2019 general elections.
The suggestion was made on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital at a unity retreat organised the leaders.
The leaders, who emphasised Yoruba unity, noted that there is a national consensus that Nigeria is overdue for restructuring. In their various submissions, the leaders called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to ensure that the process of reviewing the constitution takes place before the 2019 general elections.
Among those who spoke on behalf of the group are a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George.
George, while declaring support for the restructuring of the country warned that the mistakes of the past should not be allowed to be repeated and truncate the unity of Yoruba race.
He said, being a member of the conference, it afforded him the opportunity to present solutions to the country’s problems which if implemented will address various problems the country is presently facing.
Chief George appealed to those clamouring for secession to think twice. He urged the Federal Government to do all that it can to ensure that Nigeria does not go to war for another time.
He warned that it will be devastating if should Nigeria go to another civil war as he posited that “No nation has ever survived two civil wars”.
The convener of the retreat, Chief Deji Osinbogun, said Nigerians must come together to agree on the modalities for restructuring the polity.
Notable Yoruba leaders at the event include Chief Olapade Agoro, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Mr. Olawale Oshin.
Others in attendance were: Proprietor, Lead City University, Ibadan, Prof Jide Owoeye; a retired archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Democratic (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams; Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, and Secretary General, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Otunba Kunle Olajide.
