Date Published: 10/06/10

OGUN STATE: Discomfiture of Democracy

Council Of Obas’ It is time to Step Up to the Plate

Between 2003 and 2007, the Administrative and the Legislative Arms of Ogun State worked cohesively like well greased machinery. In fact, the achievements made by the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Administration during that period were lauded all over the nation, close to how Governor B. R. Fashola of neighbouring Lagos State is currently experiencing. Since then, both the Ogun State Administrative Arm and the Legislative Arm have become a disgrace and embarrassment to all peoples of the Gateway State and the Yoruba Nation.

The Gateway State, with so much human and natural resources, the State that produced the Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo; the state where Queen Bathsheba chose as her final resting place; has become a state where the outrageous and scandalous erupt regularly and reign supreme. From annual coups at the House of Assembly to Ogun State Legislator leading boxing matches at the National Assembly, Ogun State now represents the discomfiture of Democracy in Nigeria, resulting in a situation where the state is mostly ungovernable, providing a great cover for corruption and increased crime across the state. If the brain and hands cannot work together, the legs are left to wander off aimlessly.

This is not the Ogun State of Awolowo, of Ransome-Kuti nor of Adesanya.

As such, Egbe Omo Yoruba, National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America (Egbe), calls for an immediate cessation of this nonsensical, idiotic and embarrassing situation in Ogun State. This situation has gone on long enough.

We call on the leadership of the Council of Oba’s, Kabiyesi Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Kabiyesi Oba Adetokunbo Gbadebo III, Alake of Egba Land, Kabiyesi Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, Akarigbo of Remo, and the acting Olu of Ilaro to take the bold steps needed to correct the situation the Omoluwabi (Yoruba) Way, once and for all.  With the latest development, the Yoruba Nation cannot wait for the routed legislators to retaliate before peace can reign in Ogun State. It is time this ridiculous game at the peoples’ expense to end.  We also do not want a situation where the people and vigilantes begin to take the law into their own hands in order to correct or take advantage of this situation. We remember Wetie very well.

Therefore, we appeal to all the feuding parties to shed their swords and sit down to resolve their differences like brothers and sisters, so that, Ogun State can move forward with the league of progressive States. Finally, we the Yoruba’s in Diaspora will not allow Yoruba Nation to be turn into war zone nor burnt down by the few for their selfish ends.

Signed,

Ola Oduwole                                                                                                                                                                                       R. Oladapo Odunlami

National President                                                                                                                                                                            Natl. Sec. of Public Affairs