Yoruba Leaders Endorse Jonathan

Yoruba leaders on Friday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office, expressing hopes that he is the only leader capable of implementing the recommendations of the National Conference held last year without any alteration.

The resolution was adopted in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at a gathering that had in attendance leaders from all walks of life.  They gathered to discuss the future of Nigeria at a post-National Conference Summit.

In a 10 point communique read by the chairman of the summit, Ayo Adebanjo, the Yoruba leaders unanimously endorsed Goodluck Jonathan for president. The resolution was not reached lightly as Yoruba leaders from all the six south-west States deliberated for nearly five hours on the future of the race within the context of a united and prosperous nation.

The convener of the post-CONFAB summit, the Ondo State Governor, Mr Olusegun Mimiko, in his opening address told the gathering that true federalism, which empowered regionalism, remained the pedestal on which every dream of the Yorubas’ rest.

A former Attorney General of the Federation, Richard Akinjide, described the recommendations of the conference as the needed panacea for a Nigeria with high hopes and stability. The 10 point communique was jointly drafted by members of a pan Yoruba political group, the Afenifere, at least six political parties, the academia, technocrats and civil society organizations captured issues of devolution of powers, regional autonomy, community and state police,  the fiat for regional and social services among others.

At an earlier meeting of the leaders held on February 20, the Afenifere, called on the government to implement the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference as it relates to the interest of the Yoruba nation.

Addressing the group at that meeting, Governor Mimiko emphasized the benefits of the recommendations of the national conference to the Yoruba nation if implemented. According to Dr. Mimiko, the summit was of uttermost importance, especially as Nigeria prepares for a general election.