From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has called on the Federal Government to reformulate the constitution to achieve true federalism and resource control.
The call was made during its last quarterly meeting attended by senior members of the council.
In its communique, it expressed grave concern over the ongoing economic hardship in the country. It reminded the administration that the enthusiasm that led to its 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 endeavours 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.
“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 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 pretences of hegemony.
“YCE reaffirmed its agenda to present a book, entitled: 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.”
It lauded the Federal Government for discontinuing the case against the Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, in the court of law in Benin Republic.
It believed the move signals a responsible approach by the present administration towards addressing grievances, and that agitations could be legitimately and peacefully pursued at all times.