The continued unity of Nigeria rests on the immense contributions and sacrifices of the Yoruba people, a university professor, Alade Fawole, has said.
Mr. Fawole, a Professor at the Obafemi Awolowo University's Department of International Relations, stated this in Lagos at the maiden edition of the Abraham Adesanya Memorial Lecture, organized by the National Association of Ogun State Students, University of Lagos Chapter.
Speaking on the topic, The Place of the Yoruba in Nigerian Politics and Development, Mr. Fawole said that Nigeria has always progressed whenever the southwest region is experiencing peace and development, which automatically rubs off on other regions.
He added that the region's principle is largely responsible for the country's existence.
"Let me assert very authoritatively and without any apologies that the Nigerian state remains united today because of the principled stand, steadfastness and immense sacrifices of Yoruba to retain Nigeria as a single country," he said.
He then lashed out at the current political leaders from the region, accusing them of hobnobbing with "enemies" of the Yoruba tribe.
"It is obvious to me that the present crop of so-called political leaders who got the Yoruba mandate by hook or crook to govern us in this Fourth Republic lack the intellectual depth, political sagacity and the finesse that their First and Second Republic predecessors brought into politics and governance," he said.
"Not only is their political performance profoundly pedestrian and disappointing, judging by the standards the Yoruba people are already used to, some of the governors sought unholy alliance with the enemies of Yoruba all in the name of political mainstreaming. If only they can summon half the commonsense of their esteemed predecessors, it wouldn't have been difficult for them to perceive that such opportunistic dalliance was bound to miscarry for the entire Yoruba people who have been made a laughing stock."
The event drew some prominent Yoruba politicians from different party affiliations, including Olusegun Osoba, who chaired the occasion; former Lagos governorship candiadate, Jimi Agbaje; ex-Osun senator, Iyiola Omisore; and activist, Yinka Odumakin.
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