Agitation for secession was dead on arrival — Olowu of Kuta
…Says secessionists should rather dialogue with FG
Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
The agitation for the secession of Nigeria has been described as an action that was dead on arrival.
This was just as the agitators for secession were charged to dialogue with the Federal Government and champion the cause for restructuring.
Olowu of Kuta, in Ayedire Local Government area of Osun state, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, said the above on Sunday while fielding questions from journalists.
The monarch noted that he has never been a part of the struggle for secession, adding that he believes in the corporate entity of this country.
Oba Makama said, “Separatist movement is not a cheap struggle; it is like waging arms against the state.
“Nobody shaves somebody’s head in absentia. How will I champion secession without consultation with my people? Even at the council of Oba’s meeting, nobody ever discusses secession.
He further said, “Nobody dares face the federal government and succeed. And Nigeria will not open her eyes while she faces another internal war. No serious government will like to see his country in turmoil.
“The banditry and Boko Haram that we have at hand is more than enough. So, I will advise the agitators to dialogue with the federal government.”
The Oba, however, disclosed that he would lend his voice to restructuring rather than support secession.
“I will support a holistic, clearly-defined restructuring rather than separation. Restructuring will call for devolution of power, and if power devolves, there will be more money,” he said.
Speaking on the state of insecurity challenges in Nigeria, the monarch averred that if the local government is structured to allow autonomy, the security issues would be tackled.
The monarch said, “Local government autonomy has become an aberration, especially in the Southwest. If we don’t allow local government autonomy to survive, the security situation will persist. When the local government is well organised, the problem will be solved.”
Speaking further, Oba Oyelude said traditional rulers should be given constitutional roles as the key stakeholders in the nation.
He said, “As traditional rulers, we are being beaten, yet we are not allowed to cry. Since the advent of democracy, no regime remembered traditional rulers. Only late General Abacha allowed traditional rulers to benefit 5% and now, what we see is less than 3%. This is for you to know that we also are sacrificing in nation-building.
“Many traditional rulers are merely surviving. They are not living. These critical stakeholders have been doing a lot and we should be fashioned into the constitution,” the monarch added.
