From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to reformulate the constitution to achieve true federalism and resource control.
The call was made at the council’s last quarterly meeting held on November 16th at its national secretariat. The meeting was attended by senior members of the council, and a communique was released on Wednesday, November 24th, outlining the resolutions made at the meeting.
The YCE lauded the Federal Government for discontinuing the case against the Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, in the Court of Law in Benin Republic.
The council considered the case meritless and an unwarranted sectional vendetta by the previous administration.
The YCE believed that the move signals a responsible approach by the present administration towards addressing grievances, and agitations could be legitimately and peacefully pursued at all times.
The council, however, expressed grave concern over the ongoing economic hardship in the country, and the nook and cranny of the country, which it deems dehumanizing.
The YCE reminded the administration that the enthusiasm that led to their win at the polls was driven by the belief in the genius of its leading candidate to turn the country’s economic situation from adversity to prosperity.
The council remains hopeful and prayerful that the administration will succeed in its endeavors to return prosperity and smile to the pockets and faces of all Nigerians.
“The YCE wishes to remind the Administration that enthusiasm for it at the polls was driven by the belief in the genius of its leading candidate to turn the country’s economic situation from adversity to prosperity.
“The YCE remains hopeful and prayerful that the almighty will grant the Administration resounding success in its endeavours to return prosperity and smile to the pockets and to the faces of all Nigerians.”
The YCE called on the Federal Government to institute long-lasting reformulation of visible constitutional inadequacies to achieve true Federalism and its attendant resource control implications.
The council believed that restructuring the country would reduce sectional restiveness and engender a sense of belonging among all segments of the society, demanding fair and equitable restoring of the polity, without pandering to the pretenses of hegemony.
“The YCE reaffirmed its agenda to present the Book titled Yoruba Renaissance – Challenges and Prospects written by Sir L.A. Egunjobi, to all the governors and leading personages across Yorubaland. Council also agreed to support Messrs Geogok Nig. Ltd. by promoting School Debates in Yoruba Language throughout the South West States of Nigeria.”