‘Yoruba elders’ meeting did not discuss OBJ, Yar’Adua’

15.04.2008

THE meeting of Yoruba leaders in the South-West held two weeks ago in Ibadan, Oyo State, did not discuss anything on former President Olusegun Obasanjo or current President Umaru Yar’Adua, the secretary of the meeting, Professor Kayode Oyediran, has said.

Prof. Oyediran said rather, the meeting was on the progress and unity of the Yoruba nation.

The secretary, in a statement, said the reaction was to correct the misrepresentation of facts as reported by newspapers, describing some of the reports as inaccurate and misleading.

According to him, “the meeting at which the Honourable Justice Kayode Eso presided was not “a meeting of Afenifere and YCE. The meeting was not concerned with, and did not deliberate on, the merits or demerits of either the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo or the current administration of President Yar’Adua.

“Rather, the concern of the meeting was to review the socio-cultural and political situation in Yorubaland, and to identify strategies for enhancing the progress and unity of the Yoruba nation.

“The objective is not to forge political unity among the Yoruba - which is probably neither feasible nor desirable - but to promote cordial interaction and exchange of views on matters of interest and importance to the Yoruba, among various individuals and groups in Yoruba land irrespective of political or other persuasions.

“The position was clearly stated by Hon. Justice Kayode Eso when he briefed the media at the end of the meeting and said, inter alia, “We are talking about the progress and unity of the Yoruba nation.

In Yorubaland, we want the best. If something is good, it needs progress. We are here to forge a common agenda for the progress of the Yoruba nation and Yorubaland,” Prof. Oyediran said.