S’West govs shun Yoruba Unity Forum meeting

Posted by admin Governors, South-West Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

The six South-West governors were conspicuously absent yesterday at the reconvened Yoruba Unity Forum which held at the Ikenne, Ogun State home of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and presided over by the matriarch of the Awolowo, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.

Among those officially invited were Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, his counterparts, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Lagos, Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo, Raufu Aregbesola, Osun, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti, and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo.

While none of the invited governors serving and former, attended other attendees are former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen Oladipo Diya (rtd.), Kofoworola, Bucknor-Akerele, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former deputy to the former Oyo State governor, Alhaji Taofeeq Arapaja, among others. Although a formal invitation was extended to the governors, it was a surprise that none of them was around.
During the meeting, the forum urged President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently ensure that the Yoruba nation occupies its rightful position in the political hierarchy. This was necessary so as to give the race a sense of belonging in the country.

Apparently reacting to the loss of the speakership of the House of Representatives which gave the position to Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the forum decried the role played by some politicians from the South-West.
The group lamented lack of cohesion among Yoruba and stated that it was what assisted Tambuwal to assume that position among Yoruba honourables.

In a communiqué, the forum decried a situation where the race was completely schemed out of top political positions in the Jonathan administration urging the President to “remember that the race voted for him and not his party”. While reviewing the post election killings in some parts of the North, the forum warned that the killing of Yoruba anywhere in the country must stop.

On the speculations that the Yoruba leadership is up for grabs, Senator Tony Adefuye said it is not vacant.
He added that no matter what anybody says, “Mama H.I.D Awolowo is our leader and she is performing the role effectively.

-Sunwp_posts