An open letter to the Afeniferes

The presiding professor demonstrated his scholastic skill, through a fearless and brilliant speech. The discussants were equally awesome. Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, one of the discussants caught my fancy, by making a clear cut of the fact that, as far as the Nigerian politics is concerned, the Yorubas are out. He cited the judiciary, the executive, […]

The presiding professor demonstrated his scholastic skill, through a fearless and brilliant speech. The discussants were equally awesome. Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, one of the discussants caught my fancy, by making a clear cut of the fact that, as far as the Nigerian politics is concerned, the Yorubas are out. He cited the judiciary, the executive, the legislature, the police, the prison, the customs, and other constituents that wield the power of this country where the Yorubas are out. He left the audiences with a question no one could answer.
As a neophyte but thinking youth on the politics of Nigeria, I have discovered that Nigeria is still ‘one’ because the adversaries of this so-called unity-tie are not competent to hold out and take ground, and not because of the federal or non-federal status of Nigeria. A case-study shows that Sudan before the independence of South Sudan was a federal state, if a federal constitution could not stop South Sudan from parting; it might equally not stop any liberation intending sect/group from leaving Nigeria.
Two wrongs do not make a right, or so they say. But if three wrongs would finally make Nigeria to become parts, what would be the strength of the Yorubas as a nation? Would we be able to stand the fact of independence if one morning we wake to see Nigeria in sovereign parts? A call to the concerned, a call to the Afeniferes, It is high time you mingled the young with the old. It is time we knew each other closer than farther. It is time we knew the basis of unity internally than externally! We are not calling for a rebellion but a more encompassing and working Pan-Yorubanism because it is only this that will call for a true federalism “unity in diversity”.
Mustapha Kariola, Lagos Mainland, Lagos.