O’Odua Group Warns Tinubu, Other Yoruba Leaders Against Political Romance With Hausa/Fulani

Self-determination groups in the South West have urged Yoruba leaders to pay more attention to the restructuring of the country instead of focusing attention on presenting a presidential candidate for the 2015 general election. The groups under the aegis of the O’Odua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC) also warned Yoruba leaders against forming political alliance with any ethnic group that does not believe in the restructuring of the country to reflect true federalism. The ONAC said that winning the 2015 election should less concern the region than restructuring the country, noting that, “elections are short-term solutions while restructuring of the country offers an enduring solution to the contradictions of Nigeria, a country that continues to stifle the populace.” In a statement by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ayoola Ajayi in Ibadan yesterday, the body warned that never before in history had any alliance between the Hausa-Fulani in the North and the Yoruba nation produced a meaningful result adding that Chief Obafemi Awolowo did not at any time attempt an alliance with the largely reactionary and feudalistic North. It said: “The alliance of the Yoruba people should be with progressive and pro-restructuring forces in the middle-belt, the South-South and the South-East. The Hausa-Fulani North will forever repel any attempt to restructure Nigeria. Our alliance should not be with feudalists. “More than any time before, Yoruba people must speak up and ensure the race is not sacrificed on the altar of northern political interests.” However, the ONAC cautioned the Niger Delta region on the consequences of supporting a presidential candidate based on sentiment.