Marginalisation: South West must bargain better in 2015 - HID Awolowo

As political realignment hot up ahead of the 2015 presidential race, the Yeye Oodua and matriarch of the Awolowo Dynasty, Chief H. I. D. Awolowo, on Thursday urged politicians and leaders of thought in the South West to negotiate better for the collective interest of the Yoruba people in the 2015 poll.
Awolowo spoke just as the Yoruba Unity Forum rose from a meeting in Ikenne, Ogun State, calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to take urgent steps towards reversing the alleged marginalisation of Yoruba people in political appointments by the Federal Government.
The YUF lamented the continued exclusion of Yoruba indigenes in placements at ministries, departments and agencies of Jonathan’s government, describing the trend as an injustice.
In her opening remarks at the meeting held at the Efunyela Hall, Ikenne home of the Awolowos, Awolowo said South West leaders must guide against making poor political choices in the 2015 general election.
She observed that the support rendered by the zone for the actualisation of Jonathan’s presidential ambition in 2011 appeared to have been taken for granted with the alleged marginalisation of Yoruba in his administration.
She, therefore, enjoined Yorubas to be wary of all forms of deceit in their political negotiation and bargaining ahead of 2015.
She said the zone must get its acts right during the round of elections in the country.
Awolowo stated that rather than negotiating for selfish purposes, Yoruba leaders must pursue and settle for decisions that would be beneficial to the entire Yoruba race.
She said: “Yorubas must think well and take proper decision.
“We must have a focus because if we don’t know where we are coming from, we should at least know where we are going.
“In 2015, Yoruba politicians must not walk astray.
“The journey of 2011, which we all embarked upon, has clearly taught us lessons.
“We played a leading role in the last presidential election but when it was time to share positions, we were marginalised.
“We should all learn.”
Mama Awolowo also appealed to politicians from the South West to shun activities capable of causing disunity among people of the zone.
Meanwhile, a communique issued at the end of the meeting in Ikenne, Ogun State of YUF, lamented the exclusion of Yoruba indigenes in placements in ministries, departments and agencies of Jonathan’s government.
The communique, which was signed by Awolowo and Rt. Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi, chairman and deputy chairman of YUF, also stressed the importance of reconciliation of Yoruba leaders.
The YUF said: “The Yoruba people are progressively being sidelined both in political appointments and placements in the ministries, government departments and other agencies of government.
“The YUF is particularly disturbed by the recent appointment made by the Presidency, which has further aggravated the marginalisation, as no Yoruba person was considered worthy of any of the appointments.”
The group affirmed support for the formation of Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly.
It also expressed its preparedness to host the next SNPA conference in May in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The YUF further called for inter-zonal visits and interactions amongst the leadership of various ethnic groups in Nigeria to promote understanding and strengthen unity in the country.
Among those who attended were former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae; former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Isola; Senator Femi Okurounmu; Senator Anthony Adefuye; Chief Bode Olajumoke; Dr. Kunle Olajide; Chief Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; Hon. Tomi Soboyejo; and Funke Sangodoyin.