…As Oluwo of Iwo vows to lead 10 million solidarity march for President Tinubu
Eminent personalities and many civil society groups across the Southwest geopolitical zone gathered in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital on Monday to declare total support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to turn things around in Nigeria through his Renewed Hope Agenda, notwithstanding the present economic situation in the country..
The gathering tagged “Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda Southwest Summit which was held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan was attended by scholars, politicians, religious leaders, market men and women, members of the civil society organisation and students across the region.
Various speakers at the event appealed to Nigerians to keep hope alive and continue supporting the current administration in its endeavors to repair the damages that have been inflicted on the economy by the previous administrations.
Setting the tone of the discussion, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Isaac Adewole, a former minister of health, who represented Gen. Alani Akinrinde (retd.) said, “the politicians who lost the last general elections were those behind the “pull down” syndrome of the current administration.”
Adewole urged patriotic Nigerians not to allow the enemies of progress fulfill their desire by making Nigeria ungovernable for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said, “calling for military takeover will not solve our problem but worsen the situation.”
While expressing confidence that things would work out very soon, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan urged the government to work towards fiscal federalism, and food security.
Professor Adewole urged Nigerians to be hopeful and support the president, assuring that present challenges will soon fade away.
In his own submission, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi restated his total confidence in the administration of President Tinubu, urging Nigerians not to listen to the detractors, who are calling for intervention of the military.
The first class monarch however suggested 10 million solidarity march for President Tinubu, saying “Tinubu must not fail and he can’t fail.”
He recounted the conspiracy brought against President Tinubu before and after the election by some unscrupulous elements, noting that, “the problem we have at hand was brought about by the previous administration’s mismanagement of the economy.
Describing Yoruba as the pride of Nigeria and the whole black world, Oba Akanbi said the country would become better under the Yoruba’s presidency.
He commended the current Nigeria’s government sincerity in tackling of corruption.
Oluwo of Iwo allayed the fear of imminent coup as being expressed in some quarters, saying there’s no possibility for military incursion as structure in the present day military does not allow overthrow of government.
The monarch said there is no government since independence that has reached the grassroots than current administration.
According to him, Tinubu’s government has been releasing money to the benefits of Nigerians through their representatives in the national assembly.
Oba Akanbi said Tinubu has written a story, adding that in his own capacity as a traditional ruler, he’s doing everything to make the current government succeeds.
Buttressing his earlier call for 10 million solidarity march, Oba Akanbi said he’s ready to lead the protest, not minding his position as a traditional ruler, urging the good people of Nigerian to “kill” any unlawful protest against the government.
Presenting a paper themed” The Call For Military Takeover: It’s Time For Democrats To Stand And Defend Democracy”, the Guest Speaker, Emeritus Prof. Olu Aina said the ongoing reforms of the current administration represent a beacon of hope amidst the present darkness of stagnation and corruption.
The erudite scholar believes that President Tinubu’s doggedness in pursuing these reforms showed his commitment to economic revitalisation, social justice and political accountability.
This according to him, despite the current hardship would bring about long term benefits.
“However, it is crucial that we also recognize the bigger picture and the long term benefits that President Tinubu’s reforms will bring to our nation. While the road may be difficult, the destination is one of prosperity, dignity, and opportunity for all Nigerians,” the International acclaimed scholar said.
Prof. Aina however called on all Yorubas,young and old, to remain supportive of President Tinubu’s reforms and work together to mitigate the immediate impacts on those most affected in order not to allow few misguided people to take advantage of present hardship to score political ponts.
“Instead, let us use our collective wisdom and influence to engage in constructive dialogue with President Tinubu and his administration. Let us offer our insight and recommendations for addressing the immediate needs of our people while staying truth to the overreaching goals of reform and transformation,” he said.
On the call by some people for military intervention in Nigeria’s politics at this time, Prof. Aina said the call not only refects a misguided vociferation, but also stark ignorance I’d military role in any democratic setting.
Prof Aina however commended our military officers for their commitment to concentrating on their primary obligation, urging them to continue defending the country’s territorial integrity.
He therefore called on the Directorate of States Service, and Directorate of Intelligence Agency to thoroughly investigate the source of “this dangerous call, prosecute those involved and jail those guilty so as to serve as deterrent to others.”
In his remark, the convener of the summit, Barrister Oladosu Oladipo called for the establishment of Southwest Economic Development Commission in line with that of Niger Delta Development Commission and Northeast Development Commission.
Oladipo who is the President of Yoruba Patriots Movement, urged the Summit to unanimously recommend the idea to the National Assembly and if eventually passed and assented would bring about rapid, systematic and sustainable growth and development to the region.
Commenting on the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu, Oladipo said it is predicated on the provision of an enduring economic, social and political environment for rapid, systematic and sustainable growth and development.
On the state of nation, the Yoruba’s leader stated that President Tinubu inherited a nearly bankrupt economy, and commended the president for taken correct decision by stopping fuel subsidy from day one of his leadership in Nigeria.
Oladipo, while noting the serious biting effect of the decision, on the people because of price spiral high inflationary trend and cost of living, enjoined Nigerians to understand the age long saying that “a bad decision is better than a no decision”.
“The most important thing is for all of us to start spreading the gospel of united, and economically prosperous nation being led by our Son, a Creative Nigerian Patriot, and, a true Democrat, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Oladipo said.
Also contributing, retired Archbishop of Methodist, Ayo Ladigbolu urged well to do Nigerians to support the government’s palliative programmes by giving out to the poor in their respective domains.
Ladigbolu said with the steps taken by the Tinubu’s government, so far, it is a matter of time for the nation to get out of the woods.
Roll call
HIM Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, Oluwo of Iwo; HRM Oba Isiaka Balogun Oyero, Oba of Ketu, Kosofe Local Government, Lagos State, Oba Gbolahan Akanbi Timson, Jagunmolu III of Shomolu Bariga, Lagos state; Emeritus Prof Olu Aina; Prof. Isaac Adewole; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; Hon. Ayo Afolabi; Otunba Mohammed Ilupeju; Sunday Aramoko, Bishop Jameson Odu; Hon. Hammed Adio; Mr. Niyi Idowu; Comrade AWA Bamiji; Dr Babayomi Taiwo, Chief Akomolafe Olatunji; Comrade Jare Ajayi, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere; Alhaji A.Y Lawal, Babaloja General of Saki, who represented Okere of Saki; Comrade (Mrs) Kehinde Ola – Oni; Queen (Comrade) Taiwo Adesida, Chief (Mrs) J.T. Raimi, Asiwaju Oloja of Oyo State; Chief (Mrs) Labake Lawal, Otun Iyaloja of Ibadanland; Hon Temilola Akinade, National Chairperson of Inter – Party Advisory Council; Hon. Sola Oladepo; Chief Daniel Ebahor; Hon Emmanuel O. Ademowo Ameye; Hon Tunji Olatunde, former Chief Whip, Osun State House of Assembly; Mr Rotimi Osuntola from Canada, and Hon. Oladejo Moruf Lamolo; Mrs Adenike Oyinlola, Alhaji Alausa Komolafe, Prince Adedayo Ajose, Prince Gbadegesin, Dr. Kayode Lawal, and Engr. Adeniyi Adeyemo.
Read below the COMMUNIQUE aææ of the meeting:
Following the bold and inevitable reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and attempt by some unpatriotic forces to exploit the current situation to call for a military takeover, the Yoruba Patriots Movement YPM and coalition of South West Civil societies under the chairmanship of Hon. Oladosu Oladipo GCCF, a “Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda Southwest Summit” was organised and a lead paper titled “The call for Military take over- a misguided vociferation; It’s time for Democrats to stand and defend democracy” was delivered by Emeritus Professor Olu Aina OFR on Monday,11th March, 2024.
The summit was presided over by Professor Isaac Adewole, former Minister of Health with Oba Oluwo of Iwo, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Oba , Lagos of Somolu , Oba of Itire and Rotimi Osuntola from Canada
RESOLUTIONS
(1) That the bold reforms of the current administration are inevitable and necessary for the sustainable development and prosperity of Nigeria
(2) That we acknowledge the temporary discomfort and pains in the country as a result of the ongoing reforms
(3) That an attempt by some unpatriotic and mischievous forces to exploit the current discomfort to call for Military take over is misguided, unacceptable and out of the question
(4) That all Nigerians must stand united in defence of democracy and the future of Nigeria
(5) That it is incumbent upon all Yoruba elders and stakeholders to remain steadfast in supporting the ongoing reforms and work closely with stakeholders from other regions of Nigeria to support the current administration
(6) That Democrats within and outside Nigeria have a moral responsibility to heed the call to defend our hard earned democracy
(7) That the National Assembly should enact a law to establish the Southwest Development Commission
(8) That Okere Gorge Dam in Isegun the Owala Dam, Oba Oke Osun State that have been abandoned for decades should be completed and used for large-scale irrigation and power generation as conceptualised
(9) That a Peace and Productivity Commission be established by the National Assembly Act to promote peace and drive the nexus between peace and productivity in the land
(10) That the Southwest governors should invest in large scale agriculture and priotise food production and security
(11) That all governors and public office holders should compliment the vision and the renewed hope agenda of the President
(12) That the next Summit shall hold in Lagos on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at a place chosen by the chairman of Lagos state Governing Advisory
Council, Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi.
Signed by:
Professor Isaac Adewole
(Summit Chairman)
Prof. Emeritus Olu Aina
(Summit Guest Speaker)
Barrister Oladosu Oladipo GCCF
(Summit Convener)
Dr Babayomi Taiwo, Chairman Communique Committee (Osun)
Chief Akomolafe Olatunji (Ekiti)
Mrs Adenike Oyinlola (Lagos)
Alhaji Alausa Komolafe (Ondo)
Prince Adedayo Ajose (Ogun)
Otunba Tunde Adeoye (Oyo)
Dated 11th March, 2024
