Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has attributed the failure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to restore true fiscal federalism to his aborted third term agenda.
Daniel spoke at a public lecture organised by Omoluabi tagged, ‘Politics in post-2011 Nigeria: Is Yorubaland endangered?’ held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Thursday.
He said many politicians decided after the 1999 elections that since Obasanjo had become the president, there was the need for them to support him.
He added that though the former president supported the idea of a national conference, the ‘third term virus’ disrupted his plan.
The governor said that rather than entrusting the people’s lives in the hands of individuals, there must be a Yoruba agenda that should be supported by all.
He expressed the fear that the much talked about credible elections in April might remain a ‘wild goose chase’.
Daniel also made a case for a drastic reduction in electioneering funds.
The guest lecturer, Prof. Akinjide Osuntokun, observed that politicians calling for all politicians to belong to mainstream politics had their position weakened by the fact there was nothing to show for Obasanjo’s tenure.
He said, “Yoruba people watched helplessly as their roads became unmotorable and all their appurtenances of modern life collapsed. They were rightly not singled out for favour.
“In fact, if the truth must be told, the Obasanjo government bent over backwards to accommodate other ethnic groups at the expense of the Yoruba.
“For example, since 2003, no Yoruba woman has been found suitable for a ministerial appointment in a country where Yoruba women have led in the acquisition of Western education since the imposition of colonial rule.”
He stated that in the distribution of ministerial positions, the Yoruba had fared worse than other ethnic groups.
“It is, therefore, open to debate if the Yoruba would have fared worse if they had not belonged to the mainstream,” he added.
Osuntokun, who is the Dean, College of Humanities, Redeemer’s University, said most Nigerians would rather have a weak centre and a fiscally strengthened state of regional governments.
The Yoruba, he added, ought to be able to manoeuvre their way through the labyrinth of political and economic negotiation to achieve the Nigeria of their dreams.
“There should be no contradiction between Yoruba patriotism and Nigerian nationalism. What is good for the Yoruba should necessarily be good for other Nigerians,” he said.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
"I’ve Been Married for 20 Years But Never Cooked" – Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu
VIDEO: Davido Lists Artistes He Loves To Collaborate With
PHOTOS: 8 Years Old Girl Severely Assaulted and Left Almost Blinded by Her Aunt in Lagos
Sports Minister, John Enoh Roots For Peseiro’s Return To Super Eagles
Federal Govt Suspends Dana Airline Indefinitely Over Safety Concerns